"President Trump said he will begin dismantling the Federal Emergency Management Agency this year: “We want to bring it down to the state level.”"
"The Trump administration will begin dismantling the Federal Emergency Management Agency later this year, the president announced on Tuesday, setting a tight timeframe for a breakup that many experts warned would likely harm the nation’s ability to respond to disasters.
FEMA leads and funds long-term recovery efforts after natural disasters, which are growing in frequency, intensity and cost, in part because of climate change. Neither President Donald Trump nor Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, who attended the Oval Office announcement, offered specific alternatives.
With 18,000 full time employees and a $30 billion annual budget, FEMA at times has faced criticism for onerous paperwork and bureaucratic delays in responding to disasters. Conservative voices in Washington have long called for the agency to be replaced with private sector services contracted by state and local governments.
“We want to wean off of FEMA,” Trump told reporters in the Oval Office on Tuesday. “We want to bring it down to the state level.” Trump had announced a FEMA review within days of his second term."
Dylan Baddour reports for Inside Climate News June 11, 2025.
SEE ALSO:
"Aid Groups Weigh How Much More They Can Help If FEMA Reduces Its Disaster Response" (AP)
"Trump And Noem Detail Planned FEMA Changes: ‘We’re Going To Give Out Less Money’ " (The Hill)
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