Trump, Noem Detail Planned FEMA Elimination, Funding Cuts

President Trump and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem have announced plans to overhaul the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), intending to eliminate the agency in its current form and shift disaster response responsibilities back to the states. Trump emphasized reducing federal funding for disaster relief, citing an example where he provided $71 million to a state that had requested $120 million, signaling tighter control over allocations from the president's office. Noem supported this approach, stating that governors will have more authority to respond to their communities quickly and that the administration is fostering mutual aid agreements among states for independent disaster response capabilities, with federal assistance reserved for catastrophic events. Both officials indicated these changes could take effect after the current hurricane season. The move comes amid Republican criticism of FEMA, especially following reports of perceived political bias within the agency. However, experts have expressed concern that diminishing FEMA's role could leave vulnerable communities without sufficient resources and coordination during disasters.