Trump Mulls Abolishing US Emergency Management Agency As He Visits Disaster-Hit North Carolina & California

FEMA helps respond to disasters when local leaders request a presidential emergency declaration, a signal that the damage is beyond the state’s ability to handle on its own.

Trump criticised California leaders for water policies, falsely claiming they exacerbated recent wildfires.

Source : Getty Images

US President Donald Trump said he was considering “getting rid” of FEMA – Federal Emergency Management Agency – a government organisation that responds to disasters. According to the Republican president Washington could provide money directly to the states. On Friday, Trump visited Hurricane Helene-ravaged North Carolina and California, which was hard hit by the wildfires.

According to the Associated (AP), Trump's comments about FEMA came during his visit to North Carolina, which is still recovering months after Hurricane Helene, on the first trip of his second term.

“FEMA has been a very big disappointment,” the Republican president said, as per AP. “It’s very bureaucratic. And it’s very slow.”

As per AP, FEMA helps respond to disasters when local leaders request a presidential emergency declaration, a signal that the damage is beyond the state’s ability to handle on its own. FEMA can reimburse governments for recovery efforts such as debris removal, and it gives stopgap financial assistance to individual residents.

Trump In North Carolina

Trump has asserted his desire to help North Carolina, a state that has voted for him in all of his presidential campaigns. He criticised the Biden administration’s to Helene in North Carolina. As he left the White House on Friday morning, he said as per AP that, “it’s been a horrible thing the way that’s been allowed to fester” since the storm hit in September, and “we’re going to get it fixed up.”

Trump suggested that instead of FEMA, Michael Whatley, a North Carolina native and chair of the Republican National Committee, would help coordinate recovery efforts in the state, which is frustrated by the federal response. While Whatley does not hold an official government position, Trump said he would be “very much in charge.”

“We’ve come to North Carolina with a simple message,” Trump said while in North Carolina. He added, “You are not forgotten any longer. You were treated very badly by the previous administration.”

Trump In California

Meanwhile, Trump did not share the same sentiment with California, where he arrived to visit wildfire-ravaged Los Angeles later in the day. He was greeted by California Governor Gavin Newsom, a Trump critic whom the president frequently belittles.

As per AP, “We’re going to need your support. We’re going to need your help,” Newsom told Trump. “You were there for us during COVID. I don’t forget that, and I have all the expectations we’ll be able to work together to get a speedy recovery.”

Trump flew over several devastated neighbourhoods in Marine One, the presidential helicopter, before landing in Pacific Palisades, a hard-hit community that’s home to some of Southern California’s rich and famous. Accompanied by first lady Melania Trump, he walked a street where all the houses had burned, chatting with residents and police officers, according to the report.

Trump criticised California leaders for water policies, falsely claiming they exacerbated recent wildfires. He would “take a look at a fire that could have been put out if they let the water flow, but they didn’t let the water flow.”

Trump repeated false claims that the state’s fish conservation efforts in the northern part of the state are responsible for fire hydrants running dry in urban areas. He says the blame for Los Angeles’ struggles to tame some of the deadly fires lies with Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom, a political foe who has called for partnership and mutual respect as the state fights the blazes.

On Wednesday, Trump threatened to withhold federal disaster aid for wildfire-ravaged Los Angeles unless California leaders changed the state’s approach to its management of water.