President Donald Trump reiterated his intention to dismantle the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), stating that state governors are better equipped to handle natural disasters such as hurricanes, wildfires, and tornadoes. Speaking in the Oval Office, Trump said, “We’re moving it back to the states, so the governors can handle. That’s why they’re governors,” and suggested FEMA would be “weaned” off after the 2025 hurricane season.
His administration has already reduced FEMA’s workforce by a third, fired over 200 staff, and ended key programs like the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) grant. Trump’s executive order in January 2025 established a 20-member council, co-chaired by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, to review FEMA’s role and shift responsibilities to states. State officials, including those in Republican-led states, warn they lack the resources to replace FEMA’s coordination, funding, and expertise, especially as disasters grow costlier due to climate change. The proposal has sparked bipartisan concern, with posts on X reflecting alarm over potential chaos in disaster response.
Trump Wants to End FEMA, Says Governors Can Handle Disasters: A Risky Shift?
June 12, 2025 – President Donald Trump’s push to eliminate the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and transfer disaster response to state governors has ignited fierce debate as the U.S. braces for an above-average 2025 hurricane season. Announced on June 10, 2025, in the Oval Office, Trump’s plan to “wean” states off FEMA assistance after this year’s hurricanes marks a significant escalation of his long-standing criticism of the agency. This article explores Trump’s proposal, state reactions, potential consequences, and public sentiment.
Trump’s Plan to Dismantle FEMA
Trump has criticized FEMA as “bureaucratic,” “slow,” and a “disaster,” arguing that state governors should lead responses to hurricanes, wildfires, tornadoes, and floods, with the federal government providing partial reimbursement. Key elements of his plan include:
- Executive Order and Review Council: In January 2025, Trump signed an executive order creating a 20-member FEMA Review Council, co-chaired by Kristi Noem and Pete Hegseth, to recommend “improvements or structural changes.” The council, including Republican governors and emergency officials from Texas and Florida, aims to streamline FEMA or eliminate it.
- Staff Cuts and Program Terminations: FEMA’s workforce has dropped by a third, with 2,000 staff leaving via firings, retirements, or buyouts. The BRIC program, which funded disaster preparedness like flood-proof roads, was axed in April 2025 as “wasteful.” Door-to-door aid applications have also been discontinued.
- State-Led Response: Trump insists governors “know more about what’s going on” and can act faster than FEMA. He has suggested tying federal aid to unrelated demands, like California enacting voter ID laws.
- Congressional Hurdle: Eliminating FEMA entirely would require congressional approval under the Presidential Reorganization Act, a challenge given FEMA’s bipartisan support.
Trump’s remarks align with Project 2025, a Heritage Foundation plan led by his OMB nominee Russell Vought, which proposes shifting 75% of small disaster costs to states. Supporters, like @kevinolearytv on X, praise the plan as “smart” and “efficient,” arguing it cuts bureaucracy and empowers local accountability.
State Reactions: “We Can’t Do It Alone”
Governors and emergency managers, even in Republican states, warn that dismantling FEMA would leave them overwhelmed. FEMA coordinates federal resources—rescue teams, generators, and $145 billion in recovery aid since 2021—when state capacities are exceeded. Key concerns include:
- Resource Gaps: Smaller states like Wyoming and Vermont lack FEMA’s staffing and funding scale. Lynn Budd, Wyoming’s homeland security director and National Emergency Management Association president, said, “States don’t have the capability built to handle a disaster every year.” Vermont Senator Anne Watson added, “FEMA has been an absolute lifesaver.”
- Recent Denials: FEMA has denied aid for Arkansas tornadoes, West Virginia floods, and Washington state windstorms, forcing states to appeal. North Carolina’s Justin Graney emphasized, “Our relationship with federal partners is critical.”
- Red State Reliance: Texas, Florida, Louisiana, and Florida, all Trump-supporting states, received $31 billion in FEMA aid from 2015–2024, far outpacing Democratic states ($7 billion). GOP lawmakers, like Senator Rick Scott (R-FL), support FEMA reform but oppose its elimination, citing its role in hurricane recovery.
- Climate Costs: Disasters like Hurricane Helene (2024), costing North Carolina over $50 billion, highlight the need for federal support, as local budgets can’t cope with increasing climate-driven damages.
Experts like Juliette Kayyem (Harvard) warn that dissolving FEMA could be “life-threatening,” especially for poorer states like Mississippi.
