Trump is stirring up controversy again, this time with a suggestion that could change how America handles natural disasters. While visiting North Carolina to tour areas devastated by Hurricane Helene, Trump floated the idea of eliminating the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) entirely. His comments come as he balances promises of aid with conservative pushes for budget cuts.
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Speaking to the press during his trip, Trump questioned FEMA’s effectiveness, saying disaster response would be faster and cheaper if states took the reins. “When North Carolina gets hit, the governor takes care of it. When Florida gets hit, the governor takes care of it,” Trump remarked. “To have a group of people come in from an area that don’t even know where they’re going…it’s something that never worked for me.”
Trump cited examples like Louisiana and recent disasters in California, claiming FEMA’s involvement often adds delays and unnecessary costs. “You’ll do it for less than half, and you’re going to get a lot quicker response,” he stated, hinting at upcoming changes to federal disaster management policies.
The comments were made as Trump also prepared to visit California, where wildfires have scorched communities near Los Angeles.
For now, no official policy changes have been announced. However, Trump’s push for states to take the lead in disaster recovery is likely to spark discussions about FEMA’s future role in emergencies.
