Trump announces FEMA overhaul during visit to Helene-stricken North Carolina
President Donald Trump has announced his plans to overhaul the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in the wake of Hurricane Helene, which struck North Carolina over 120 days ago. Trump expressed his dissatisfaction with FEMA’s response to the disaster, stating that the agency has “let us down” and “let the country down.”
During a press conference in North Carolina, Trump stated that he would be signing an executive order to begin the process of reforming or possibly even eliminating FEMA. He emphasized the need for a more efficient and effective disaster response system, suggesting that states should take on more responsibility when disasters strike.
“We’re going to be doing something on FEMA that I think most people agree [with],” Trump said. “I’d like to see the states take care of disasters, let the state take care of the tornadoes and the hurricanes and all of the other things that happen. And I think you’re going to find it a lot less expensive. You’ll do it for less than half, and you’re going to get a lot quicker response.”
Trump also promised to work closely with lawmakers from the affected areas in North Carolina to ensure that the damage is fixed promptly. He criticized FEMA for not providing adequate assistance to the state in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, and vowed to take action to rectify the situation.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reported that only half of the debris recovery for Hurricane Helene has been completed, and thousands of families in North Carolina are still residing in hotels under FEMA’s Transitional Housing Assistance program. While FEMA initially set a deadline for these families to vacate the hotels by late January, the deadline has been extended to May 26 to accommodate over 3,000 eligible families.
“It’s been a horrible thing the way that’s been allowed to fester and we’re going to get it fixed up,” Trump stated. “It should have been done months ago from the hurricane that took place almost four months ago. North Carolina’s been treated very badly so we’re stopping there.”
In addition to addressing the situation in North Carolina, Trump also plans to visit California to survey the damage caused by recent wildfires. He expressed concern for the devastation in the state and vowed to provide support and assistance to those affected.
Overall, Trump’s focus on reforming FEMA and improving disaster response efforts reflects his commitment to prioritizing the needs of states and communities facing natural disasters. By working closely with lawmakers and stakeholders, Trump aims to ensure that the necessary resources and support are provided to those in need during times of crisis.
