DHS Secretary Suggests Trump Should Overhaul FEMA as It Currently Exists
The Trump administration is preparing to overhaul the disaster relief agency.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has suggested that President Donald Trump should “eliminate” the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) “in its current form.”
FEMA is responsible for providing assistance to states and communities affected by various disasters, including floods, fires, droughts, earthquakes, tornadoes, and hurricanes.
Recently, FEMA faced criticism from Republicans, including the president, regarding its response to hurricanes Helene and Milton, which struck the southern United States in the fall of 2024. The agency also faced backlash after an employee alleged that she was instructed not to send teams to homes displaying Trump signs, while it received further scrutiny for allocating hundreds of millions in funds to transport illegal immigrants last year.
“While we still require resources, funding, and financial support for those affected by disasters such as Hurricane Helene and the fires in California,” Noem, who oversees FEMA, told CNN on Sunday, “it’s crucial to empower local officials to decide how these resources should be deployed for more rapid response.”
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Trump also indicated that he prefers states to manage their disaster recovery instead of the federal government.
“I cherish Oklahoma, but if a tornado hits, let Oklahoma manage the situation. The federal government can provide financial support afterward. FEMA is obstructing everything, and the Democrats misuse FEMA instead of aiding North Carolina,” he stated.
Meanwhile, Cameron Hamilton, the acting FEMA administrator, announced on the social media platform X that reforms at the agency are forthcoming.
Noem was also questioned about tech entrepreneur Elon Musk and his Department of Government Efficiency’s (DOGE’s) access to FEMA data. She showed enthusiasm regarding Musk’s efforts, amid criticism from Democrats regarding his ambitions to dismantle governmental agencies like the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Department of Education.
“Elon Musk is actively engaged with our administration to pinpoint potential savings and improvements, ensuring he operates within the authority granted by the president,” she told CNN.
This report includes contributions from the Associated Press.
