Following recent disaster responses, including Hurricane Helene, President Trump has signed an executive order to establish the FEMA Review Council. This council, co-chaired by the secretaries of Homeland Security and Defense, aims to evaluate FEMA's effectiveness and identify areas for improvement. The executive order cites concerns about political bias within the agency and the allocation of substantial resources to missions outside its core responsibilities, such as supporting illegal immigrants. The order emphasizes the need for a comprehensive review to ensure efficient and impartial disaster response and recovery for all Americans.
Aerial view of a Walgreens store damaged by Hurricane Helene in Asheville, North Carolina, on September 29, 2024. (Reuters/Marco Bello)
During a visit to North Carolina, still grappling with the aftermath of Hurricane Helene over four months later, President Trump expressed his dissatisfaction with FEMA's performance. He announced his intention to reform the agency, suggesting the possibility of even dismantling it entirely. He also advocated for increased state-level responsibility in disaster management, believing that local authorities are better positioned to handle such situations.
President Trump has announced plans to overhaul FEMA, stating his belief that the agency's performance is inadequate. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)
A van submerged in floodwaters near Biltmore Village following Hurricane Helene on September 28, 2024, in Asheville, North Carolina. (Sean Rayford/Getty Images)
While the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports that debris removal from Hurricane Helene is only halfway complete, thousands of North Carolina families remain displaced and housed in hotels under FEMA's Transitional Housing Assistance program. President Trump has pledged his administration's support to expedite the recovery process in the affected state.
