by Former President Donald Trump no longer plans to eliminate the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) but is instead calling for it to be “remade” to better serve states during disasters, according to Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. After previously calling for the agency’s termination due to what he called “waste, fraud, and abuse,” Trump is now focused on reforming FEMA’s structure and role within federal disaster response.
In a statement to Newsweek, White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson clarified that a newly formed FEMA Review Council will propose how the agency can be restructured to make disaster response more efficient, while still allowing states to lead their own recovery efforts. This marks a notable shift from earlier rhetoric that included threats to abolish the agency altogether.
Key Details:
- Trump’s previous stance: Called FEMA “ineffective” and suggested it should be eliminated
- New position: FEMA will be “remade” rather than dismantled
- FEMA Review Council: A panel of experts created to recommend reforms
- DHS Secretary Kristi Noem: Confirmed Trump now wants FEMA deployed differently, supporting states instead of leading response
- Quote from Noem: “He wants it to be remade so that it’s an agency that is new in how it deploys and supports states”
- Criticism of FEMA: Trump linked the agency to inefficiencies and delays, especially under the Biden administration
- Recent disaster visit: Trump and Noem toured flood-ravaged Kerr County, Texas, where at least 120 people died
- Federal aid approved: Trump extended the major disaster declaration after meeting with Texas officials
- Additional responders: Coast Guard, Border Patrol BORTAC teams, rescue aircraft, and dog teams all involved alongside FEMA
- Public meetings: FEMA Review Council has held meetings, though no official policy changes have yet been announced
Trump’s new direction for FEMA comes as his administration responds to ongoing catastrophic flooding in Texas, where dozens remain missing. According to Noem, the president believes in empowering state governments to make faster, more localized decisions in emergencies, with the federal government serving in a support role rather than as a primary responder.
This evolution in FEMA policy could significantly reshape how the U.S. handles natural disasters, shifting authority away from federal bureaucracy and placing more control in the hands of local officials. While no formal reforms have been implemented yet, the FEMA Review Council is expected to play a pivotal role in what could be a substantial restructuring of federal emergency response protocols.
