This week, the Trump administration began signaling plans to overhaul the response of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and other U.S. government agencies to natural disasters.
President Donald Trump was not well informed on Tuesday. Presidential Order With the aim of “achieving efficiency through national and local preparation,” it orders National Security Advisor Mike Waltz and the heads of related agencies to establish policies to strengthen America’s resilience to natural disasters and “get away from a full-scale approach.” The executive order also says the Trump administration is working to give individual states greater authority over disaster preparedness.
“This order empowers state, local and individual readiness, injects common sense into infrastructure prioritization and strategic investment, and determines through risk-based decisions that will revive infrastructure, communities, and economy into global and dynamic threats and dangers,” Trump wrote in the executive order.
“I recommend that FEMA leave,” Trump told reporters at the time.
“We sign an executive order to begin the FEMA reform or the process of removing FEMA,” the president added. “I don’t think FEMA is good.”
(Photo: J. David Ake/Getty Images)
On the same day, Trump announced Presidential Order We have established a council to “evaluate” FEMA and state it The federal response to Hurricane Helen and other recent natural disasters “indicating the need to dramatically improve” the agency’s “effectiveness, priorities and capabilities,” including assessing whether FEMA’s bureaucracy in disaster response ultimately harms its ability to respond successfully.
“Even though it has mandated nearly $30 billion in disaster aid over the past three years, FEMA has been able to leave vulnerable Americans without the resources or support they need when they need it most,” Trump said in the executive order.
FEMA was subject to intense public scrutiny after two hurricanes, Helen and Milton, surfaced reports of agency employees who were told to destroy the Southeast and provide assistance to homes displaying specific political messages.
Maen Washington, former leader of the FEMA disaster survivor support crew, was reportedly fired in November Instructions FEMA employees “avoid homes promoting Trump” while providing assistance to Florida residents affected by Hurricane Milton.
FEMA was later criticised for being inadequately prepared to be provided to Americans in an appropriate way Disaster relief. Intermediate On October 14th and October 20th, just days after Hurricane Milton attacked Florida on October 9th, the agency received 900,000 calls from survivors, but 47% failed to respond. It has been reported November. Still, FEMA pays millions of dollars Services and fund allocation for illegal immigrants For grant programs designed to increase “equality” in recent disaster response.
After promising cleaning to the government agencies, the Trump administration began by holding a Mass first Layoff With FEMA including firing In February, four FEMA employees sent millions of taxpayer dollars to hotels in New York City to provide care for illegal immigrants.
In particular, FEMA, along with dozens of federal agencies, has begun to move to eliminate mentions of diversity, equity and inclusion from official documents under Trump’s direction last week.
“For too long, state and local governments have ignored investing in resilience, infrastructure and disaster preparedness, as they can rely on unlimited backstops from the federal government, an unsustainable and irresponsible strategy that has led to the inadequate destruction and death of everyday Americans.” “The Trump administration is committed to working with states and local governments to reinforce disaster relief devices by prioritizing resilience and preparation.”
FEMA did not respond to requests for comment from DCNF.
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