Trump Announces Plan to Phase Out FEMA Following Hurricane Season Completion

On Tuesday, President Donald Trump announced his plans to begin “phasing out” the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) once the hurricane season concludes. He indicated that states would receive reduced federal assistance for responding to natural disasters.

During a White House briefing, Trump revealed that disaster relief funds would be distributed directly from the president’s office. “We’re going to do it much differently,” he stated in response to inquiries about his intentions for FEMA and the message to governors concerning greater state responsibilities in disaster relief.

Trump emphasized his approach, saying, “We’re going to give out less money” and suggested that the funds would be allocated directly from the White House, potentially with oversight from the Department of Homeland Security. His comments signal a significant shift in how disaster relief could be managed across the country.

The U.S. hurricane season, which started on June 1 and runs through November, is anticipated to be above normal this year, with forecasts predicting up to 10 hurricanes. Trump’s remarks about downsizing or eliminating FEMA are notably direct.

The agency, which has a yearly budget of approximately $30 billion and previously employed over 20,000 individuals, has faced cuts and job losses recently. Shifting fund distribution directly from the White House diverges from established protocols where FEMA manages the allocation of aid following a presidential disaster declaration.

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem voiced support for the president’s vision, stating that FEMA “fundamentally needs to go away as it exists” and stressed the importance of states collaborating to manage disaster responses. She highlighted the establishment of communication and mutual aid agreements among states to enhance their preparedness and resilience with federal assistance available for catastrophic events.