In a bold move, former U.S. President Donald Trump announced his intention to sign an executive order aimed at overhauling or potentially eliminating the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Speaking on Friday during his first trip since reclaiming the presidency, Trump criticized FEMA's handling of Hurricane Helene in North Carolina, describing the agency's efforts as a \"disaster.\"
\"FEMA has turned out to be a disaster,\" Trump stated while touring a neighborhood ravaged by the hurricane, where numerous trees were downed and homes had boarded-up windows. He went on to suggest that FEMA should be disbanded, advocating instead for states to receive federal funds to manage their own disaster responses.
However, experts like Rob Verchick, a former Obama administration official and current Loyola University New Orleans law professor, argue that shutting down FEMA would require congressional approval, as the agency's roles and funding are determined by Congress. Founded by former President Jimmy Carter through an executive order, FEMA has grown to include 10 regional offices and employs over 20,000 personnel nationwide.
FEMA has been instrumental in providing emergency personnel, supplies, and equipment to help communities recover from natural disasters. Its funding has increased in recent years in response to the rise in extreme weather events.
The proposal to dismantle FEMA is part of Project 2025, a conservative blueprint for Trump's second term. While the plan calls for significant changes, including relocating FEMA to the Department of the Interior or the Department of Transportation, it was prepared by Trump's allies and not directly endorsed during the election campaign.
Democratic U.S. Representative Deborah Ross of North Carolina voiced her opposition on social media, emphasizing FEMA's crucial role in the state's recovery efforts. \"I appreciate President Trump's concern about Western NC, but eliminating FEMA would be a disaster for our state,\" she wrote on X.
As Trump continues his tour, heading next to Los Angeles to address recent wildfires, the debate over FEMA's future intensifies. The former president's agenda this week has also touched on issues like illegal immigration, federal workforce size, energy policies, and more, signaling a busy period ahead as he seeks to implement his campaign promises.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
