President Donald Trump has announced a plan to phase out the FEMA following the conclusion of the 2025 hurricane season. Trump's proposal aims to decentralize disaster response, transferring responsibilities from FEMA to state governments. The administration's critical view of FEMA's efficacy underpins this shift, as Trump expressed, "We want to wean off of FEMA and bring it down to the state level."
As reported by CNN, Kristi Noem, the Homeland Security Secretary, has echoed this sentiment, asserting that FEMA needs to be dismantled. A FEMA Review Council, co-chaired by Secretary Noem and the Defense Secretary, seeks to minimize FEMA's footprint and reform its mission, reflecting a concerted move towards state responsibility. "We’re building communication and mutual aid agreements among states," Noem shared, emphasizing the move towards state-level disaster response.
The announcement has sparked concerns among state and federal emergency managers about the readiness of states to handle large-scale disasters without FEMA's infrastructure. Critics argue this plan reflects a misunderstanding of federal roles in emergency management, as reported by Bloomberg. The NOAA forecasts this year's hurricane season to be intense, underscoring the apprehension surrounding the agency's proposed phase-out.
Furthermore, FEMA's workforce is already experiencing reductions, leaving it understaffed as hurricane season progresses. As noted by CBS News, more than 200 probationary workers have been dismissed, and contract renewals for current staff remain uncertain. These changes have raised questions about FEMA's readiness and capacity to manage imminent natural disasters.
Despite assurances from the Department of Homeland Security about FEMA's preparedness for the hurricane season, recent comments from acting FEMA Administrator David Richardson—indicating initial unawareness of the hurricane season—have amplified these concerns. As the administration presses on with its FEMA phase-out plan, the adequacy of states' independent disaster response capabilities remains a critical question.
Sources:
https://www.cnn.com/2025/06/11/politics/fema-hurricane-season-phase-out-trump
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/trump-fema-hurricane-season-wean-states/
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