President Donald Trump The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) was placed under review Sunday after signing an executive order aimed at “radically” improving the agency's effectiveness, priorities and efficiency.
Trump's executive order creates a Federal Emergency Management Agency review board, which will consist of no more than 20 members and be co-chaired by the secretaries of Homeland Security and Defense.
The board is formed after FEMA's response to Hurricane Helen and other recent disasters demonstrated a need to improve “effectiveness, priorities, and efficiency, including assessing whether FEMA's bureaucracy in disaster response” is hindering its ability to respond successfully.
“Despite committing nearly $30 billion in disaster aid each of the past three years, FEMA has managed to leave vulnerable Americans without the resources or support they need when they need it most,” the executive order said. “. “There are serious concerns about Political bias at FEMA. In fact, at least one former FEMA responder stated that FEMA managers directed her to avoid the homes of individuals supporting Donald J. Trump's campaign for president.
“FEMA is no good:” Trump announces overhaul of the agency during his visit to North Carolina
A drone image shows a Walgreens in Asheville, North Carolina, which was damaged by Hurricane Helen on September 29, 2024. (Reuters/Marco Bello)
Trump also said that FEMA had lost focus on the mission, diverting limited resources and personnel to support missions outside its scope and authority. The president particularly emphasized that the Federal Emergency Management Agency has spent more than $1 billion to welcome illegal immigrants.
“Americans deserve immediate, effective, and impartial disaster response and recovery,” the order continued. “FEMA therefore requires a broad review, by individuals highly experienced in effective disaster response and recovery, who will recommend to the President structural improvements or changes to advance the national interest and enable national resilience.”
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President Donald Trump shared plans to reform FEMA after saying he believes the agency is “no good.” (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)
Trump announced Friday that he plans to reform the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) as North Carolina is still recovering from Hurricane Helen more than 120 days after the hurricane. The storm devastated the state.
“I will also sign an executive order to begin the process of reforming and radically reforming FEMA, or perhaps eliminating FEMA,” Trump told reporters in North Carolina on Friday morning. “I think, frankly, FEMA is no good.”
A truck floats in floodwaters near Biltmore Village in the aftermath of Hurricane Helen on September 28, 2024, in Asheville, North Carolina. (Sean Rayford/Getty Images)
Trump promised his administration to intervene Help North Carolina To repair the damage quickly, vowing to “do a good job” for the state.
The president also said he would like to see states take more responsibility when disasters strike, arguing that people familiar with the state are better equipped to provide disaster response and relief.
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So far, the US Army Corps of Engineers claims that the recovery of debris from Hurricane Helen is only half complete. Additionally, thousands of families in North Carolina are staying in hotels with FEMA footing the bill. Transitional housing assistance program.
Fox News Digital's Diana Stansey contributed to this report.
