Trump Discusses Making Changes To FEMA

President Donald Trump is once again shining a spotlight on the failures of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), this time pointing to its ineffectiveness under Democratic leadership and its role in hindering disaster recovery efforts.

During an appearance on Fox News with Sean Hannity, Trump teased that major changes to FEMA are on the horizon, blaming the agency’s inefficiency on what he called “bad” Democratic policies. The backdrop? Two devastating disasters—Hurricane Helene in North Carolina and the ongoing wildfires in Southern California—that have exposed cracks in FEMA’s ability to respond effectively.

Hurricane Helene, a Category 4 storm that struck North Carolina in September 2024, left the state reeling. The destruction was catastrophic, with damages estimated at $78.7 billion and a death toll of 219. Months later, many residents are still waiting for meaningful relief, and Trump says FEMA is to blame.

“FEMA has not done their job for the last four years,” he told Hannity. “What they’ve done with FEMA is so bad. FEMA is a whole other discussion because all it does is complicate everything.” Trump contrasted FEMA’s failures under the Biden administration with what he called the agency’s success during his first term, pointing to its handling of hurricanes in Florida and tornadoes in Alabama. According to Trump, leadership—or the lack thereof—has made all the difference.

Trump didn’t stop at FEMA’s failures in North Carolina. He also took aim at Democratic leadership in California, where wildfires have ravaged communities from Pacific Palisades to Pasadena. The fires, which began on January 7, destroyed thousands of homes, displaced residents, and revealed glaring issues in California’s disaster preparedness. Reports of empty reservoirs and dry fire hydrants in Pacific Palisades underscore the state’s inability to manage resources effectively.

Trump has long criticized Democratic California Governor Gavin Newsom for prioritizing environmental policies over practical solutions, such as reservoir management and wildfire prevention. “FEMA is getting in the way of everything,” Trump said, adding that Democrats use the agency “not to help” states like North Carolina and California, but as a political tool.

Trump’s vision for disaster response reform includes a push for state-level leadership in handling emergencies, with federal assistance acting as a backup. “If Oklahoma gets hit with a tornado or something, let Oklahoma fix it,” he said, emphasizing that states should take the lead before turning to the federal government for financial aid. It’s a bold stance, but one rooted in Trump’s broader philosophy of reducing federal bureaucracy and empowering states to manage their own crises.

The president’s criticism of FEMA comes as he prepares to visit both North Carolina and California, with the goal of addressing the lingering effects of these disasters. “I’m stopping on Friday. I’m stopping in North Carolina. First stop, because those people were treated very badly by Democrats. We’re going to get that thing straightened out,” Trump said. From there, he’ll travel to California to highlight what he sees as systemic failures under Democratic leadership.

Trump’s remarks come at a time when public trust in FEMA is already low, and his promise to overhaul the agency will likely resonate with Americans who feel abandoned after disasters. Whether it’s hurricane recovery in North Carolina or wildfire prevention in California, the common thread is the need for accountability and efficiency—two things Trump says have been sorely lacking.