DHS Secretary Noem Advocates for Dismantling FEMA as Currently Structured and Building Greater Trust in Federal Agencies – One America News Network
OAN Staff Blake Wolf
5:58 PM – Monday, February 10, 2025
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced on Sunday her endorsement of dismantling FEMA “in its current form.”
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This declaration follows findings from the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) which reported instances of fraud, waste, and excessive spending within the agency.
Noem expressed on CNN’s “State of the Union” that she would recommend President Donald Trump to “eliminate FEMA as it currently operates. We need resources and funding directed to those affected by disasters like Hurricane Helene and the wildfires in California.”
“Local officials should be empowered to make deployment decisions, enabling a faster response. We don’t need a bureaucracy that arbitrarily selects winners,” Noem added.
Noem also acknowledged that while President Trump is discussing the potential closure of the agency, he remains committed to ensuring that the federal government supports those going through significant disasters or crises.
“He has made it clear that there is still a necessary role for the federal government in assisting individuals to recover. However, issues of fraud and waste persist. Under President Trump’s administration, we’ve witnessed substantial improvements,” she remarked.
Noem’s statements came after GOP leaders expressed dissatisfaction with FEMA’s response to Hurricane Helene, which severely impacted North Carolina and other regions in September 2024.
Since his return to office, President Trump has maintained that state governments are better equipped to handle natural disasters and crises compared to FEMA, envisioning a more supportive role for the federal government that focuses on funding rather than direct management.
“For the past four years, FEMA has not fulfilled its responsibilities. …Unless there is effective leadership, it tends to become a hindrance,” Trump stated last month. “A thorough discussion about FEMA will take place very soon, as I prefer states to manage their own issues.”
“I appreciate Oklahoma,” Trump said. “However, if a tornado strikes, let Oklahoma handle it. The federal government can provide assistance afterward.”
Noem highlighted the Trump administration’s success in resolving 80% of the ongoing FEMA cases in North Carolina related to Hurricane Helene, stating: “When there is genuine concern, the response can be remarkably swift.”
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