President Trump Calls for Overhaul of FEMA, Accuses Agency of Incompetence

President Trump Calls for Overhaul of FEMA, Accuses Agency of Incompetence

On his first trip since reclaiming the presidency, U.S. President Donald Trump criticized the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for its handling of emergency relief efforts in North Carolina following the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene in September. Trump accused FEMA of failing to coordinate disaster response effectively.

During a visit to a neighborhood in Swannanoa, North Carolina, severely impacted by the floods, Trump declared, “FEMA has turned out to be a disaster,” suggesting that the agency should be dismantled. He added, “I think we recommend that FEMA go away.”

Trump's remarks came on Friday as he announced plans to sign an executive order aimed at restructuring or eliminating FEMA. He expressed a preference for states to receive federal funds directly to manage their own disaster responses.

However, experts are skeptical about Trump's ability to shut down FEMA unilaterally. Rob Verchick, a former Obama administration official, explained that such a move would likely require Congressional approval, as FEMA was established by President Jimmy Carter through executive order but operates under Congressional funding and directives for national emergency response.

FEMA has grown in importance as extreme weather events have increased, and its funding has risen accordingly. The agency, with over 20,000 employees and ten regional offices, has been crucial in coordinating disaster relief efforts, including in response to Hurricane Helene. It has been under the leadership of President Joe Biden’s administration for the past four years.

Trump’s criticism of FEMA echoes elements of Project 2025, a conservative plan for his second term, which proposed dismantling the Department of Homeland Security and relocating FEMA. The plan also suggested shifting disaster prevention and response costs to states.

While Trump criticized the Biden administration’s handling of the hurricane recovery, Democratic Representative Deborah Ross of North Carolina defended FEMA, saying, “I appreciate President Trump’s concern about Western NC, but eliminating FEMA would be a disaster for our state.”

Trump’s visit to North Carolina coincided with his trip to California, where wildfires have caused widespread destruction. Trump has sharply criticized state officials, including Governor Gavin Newsom, for their response to the fires, accusing them of mismanagement and inefficiency. He has also raised concerns about water supply issues hindering firefighting efforts.

Trump's criticisms of California's water management and emergency preparedness have been met with rebuttals from local officials, with Newsom dismissing the claims as unfounded.

As the president continues his trip, he is also following through on various campaign promises, including immigration reform, energy policies, and pardons for supporters of the January 6, 2021, Capitol attack

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