
Di Michael Vadon-Opera propria
President Donald Trump has launched a fierce critique of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), even hinting at the possibility of dismantling it entirely. During his visit to North Carolina, which is still recovering from hurricane devastation, Trump revealed plans to sign an executive order aimed at “fundamentally reforming and overhauling FEMA — or perhaps eliminating it altogether.” He proposed that the responsibility for disaster management should be transferred to individual states. “When there’s an issue in a state, I believe that issue should be addressed by the state,” Trump stated at the news conference.
The purpose of states is to address various issues. A governor is capable of resolving matters swiftly, as you may understand.
Trump was unclear regarding the timeline for his suggested modifications to FEMA, despite numerous inquiries from journalists.
However, his comments on Friday reflect a consistent pattern of criticism directed at the agency and his predecessor, former Democratic President Joe Biden, following Hurricane Helene.
On September 26, a formidable Category-4 hurricane impacted the Big Bend area of Florida. Following its landfall, the storm persisted in its northward trajectory, causing significant devastation across portions of Georgia, North Carolina, and Tennessee. The hurricane resulted in the loss of over 200 lives, as it unleashed unprecedented rainfall, flooding, and tornadoes, leading to the destruction of areas such as Asheville, North Carolina. North Carolina was among seven pivotal swing states in the 2024 election, which Trump ultimately secured.
In the aftermath of the disaster, Trump disseminated false information regarding the response efforts led by President Biden, claiming that federal relief personnel had declined to assist Republican constituents, a statement that was untrue.
Subsequently, FEMA indicated that its employees had received threats, which obstructed a door-to-door wellness check initiative in western North Carolina. President Biden subsequently condemned this misinformation, labeling it as “un-American.”
In October, he stated, “Former President Trump has spearheaded this barrage of falsehoods.” However, Trump has persistently reiterated his claims regarding the inadequacy of the disaster response in North Carolina, even referencing it during his inaugural address on Monday.
On Friday, he renewed his criticisms of both FEMA and President Biden, attributing the sluggish recovery efforts to their shortcomings. “FEMA has proven to be a significant disappointment. They incur substantial costs, operate with excessive bureaucracy, and their response is exceedingly slow,” Trump remarked at one point.
In another instance, he criticized his Democratic predecessor, stating, “Biden has performed poorly. Certain residents lack access to hot water, drinking water, and other essential services. Many of them do not possess quarters or any basic necessities.”
He also alluded to his upcoming visit to southern California later in the day, where wildfires persist in ravaging regions in and around Los Angeles, exacerbated by unusually dry weather conditions.
He underscored that he would impose certain conditions on disaster relief for the Democrat-led state, specifically requiring California to adopt a voter-identification law. While Trump has asserted that such measures are essential to combat voter fraud—a recurring theme in his rhetoric—critics contend that these laws may create obstacles for eligible U.S. citizens who lack the means or access to obtain identification cards.
Along the roadside in western North Carolina, a modest assembly of protesters convened as Trump’s motorcade made its way through the area. They expressed their dissent regarding the president’s decision to revoke climate-change policies, emphasizing that the climate crisis is recognized as a contributing factor to the intensification of extreme weather phenomena, such as hurricanes and wildfires.