For several months, President Donald Trump and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi L. Noem have hinted at the potential elimination of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). However, as the president prepares for a visit to Texas to assess the aftermath of last week's devastating floods, administration officials clarify that abolishing FEMA is not currently on the agenda. A senior White House official informed The Washington Post that no official measures are being taken to dismantle FEMA, suggesting that any forthcoming changes may simply involve a “rebranding” that will highlight the roles of state leaders in disaster response.
The official emphasized that while President Trump will ultimately make the decision regarding FEMA's future, the agency is not slated for elimination at this time. “Without any official action,” the official stated, “you’re already seeing the theory of the administration’s new approach taking place in Texas.” They pointed out that the president acted swiftly by providing financial assistance to Texas, enabling Governor Greg Abbott to take the lead in managing the recovery from the floods. “You should expect this structure, that has quietly taken place, to continue,” the official added.
On Friday, Trump is scheduled to engage with first responders and families affected by the floods in Texas, receive briefings from local officials, and participate in a roundtable discussion. Governor Abbott, a Republican, is expected to accompany him during this visit.
In recent months, both Trump and Secretary Noem have floated the idea of completely abolishing FEMA. Following his inauguration, Trump described an executive order related to FEMA, mentioning that it would “begin the process of fundamentally reforming and overhauling FEMA, or maybe getting rid of FEMA.” He characterized FEMA as “not good,” attributing this sentiment to what he viewed as a lack of success in the agency’s operations.
Administration officials are now tempering their rhetoric, indicating that FEMA is set to undergo significant changes as part of an ongoing review process. The FEMA Review Council, established by Trump’s executive order, convened this week for the second time and is expected to release a report in November outlining recommendations for enhancing federal disaster response.
The implementation of the council's recommendations will ultimately depend on President Trump, who has varied his stance on FEMA based on circumstances. A second White House official noted that the council's recent meetings were “productive,” with “thousands of interested Americans” participating in the discussions held in New Orleans. Abigail Jackson, a White House spokeswoman, stated that the review council aims to recommend reforms to FEMA that best serve the national interest, ensuring that the federal role remains supportive rather than dominant in disaster recovery.
According to Jackson, federal resources are intended to “supplement state actions, not replace” them. She criticized FEMA’s “outsized role,” which she believes has led to a “bloated bureaucracy” that disincentivizes states from investing in their own resilience.
Polling data indicates that a significant majority of Americans favor federal assistance in the aftermath of natural disasters. An Associated Press-NORC poll revealed that 80% of Americans believe the federal government should play a major role in aiding communities affected by disasters, a sentiment shared by 80% of Republicans and 87% of Democrats. Furthermore, 74% of respondents expressed that the federal government should have a major role in rebuilding communities impacted by disasters.
However, the specific nature of the federal role in disaster response continues to be a topic of debate. A senior White House official expressed that President Trump envisions a setup where “the federal government provides the necessary funds, but the state makes the decisions.” The official criticized the idea of federal workers from distant regions intervening in local disaster management without understanding the unique needs of affected communities.
Tricia McLaughlin, assistant secretary of homeland security, stated that under Noem and acting FEMA administrator David Richardson, “FEMA, as it is today, will no longer exist.” She mentioned that FEMA will transition from being a “bloated, DC-centric dead weight” to a more agile and deployable force that empowers states to deliver relief efficiently. The FEMA Review Council is currently working on a comprehensive plan for necessary changes.
Some state leaders advocate for a reduced federal role in disaster response, proposing a system of block grants that would enable direct federal resources to states, thereby eliminating perceived bureaucratic inefficiencies. North Carolina state Rep. Jake Johnson, who represents areas affected by Hurricane Helene, expressed frustration over the need for more hands-on assistance rather than bureaucratic processes. “We could handle, in large part, what FEMA’s job is, if we had some federal monetary help,” he remarked.
Conversely, many state leaders contend that a robust federal role is essential for coordinating disaster response efforts, especially in communities lacking adequate resources to manage all aspects of disaster recovery.
As Trump prepares for the upcoming campaign, he has been vocal about his criticisms of FEMA's past responses to natural disasters. Following the severe floods caused by Helene, Trump voiced a desire to “wean off of FEMA” and reduce federal funding for disaster relief. Notably, Secretary Noem had previously declared her intentions to eliminate FEMA entirely, though she later moderated her stance, indicating that reforming FEMA is a priority.
