President Donald Trump has announced that his administration will delay any significant changes to FEMA’s disaster aid until after the current hurricane season. This decision comes after Trump had previously threatened to abolish the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
During a briefing in the Oval Office, Trump stated that states will continue to receive federal disaster aid from FEMA this year. However, he hinted that there may be reduced assistance after alterations are made to the agency in 2026. Trump emphasized that the responsibility for disaster recovery and rebuilding would shift more towards the states.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem added that a FEMA council has been established to work on reforms and future changes to the agency. The council, led by Noem and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, is expected to issue recommendations for overhauling FEMA by mid-November. Trump has been vocal about his dissatisfaction with FEMA’s effectiveness and has expressed the need for significant reforms.
One day prior to Trump’s announcement, he approved disaster aid requests from Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe following severe tornadoes and storms in April. The delay in approving these requests had caused frustration among governors and lawmakers who urged the president to expedite the process.
Despite the delay in disaster aid approvals, Trump proposed a record amount of funding for FEMA’s disaster fund in the 2026 budget request to Congress. His budget director, Ross Vought, assured that the fund is projected to last until the end of the fiscal year on September 30. However, a report released by FEMA in early June projected a $7.8 billion deficit in the disaster fund by September, raising concerns about its financial stability.
Monthly reports from FEMA often indicate a shortfall in the disaster fund towards the end of the fiscal year, prompting Congress to allocate additional funds. The administration’s decision to postpone significant changes to FEMA until after the hurricane season reflects a cautious approach to ensure that states continue to receive necessary assistance in the face of natural disasters.
This article was originally published on E&E News and has been republished with permission from POLITICO, LLC. E&E News provides vital news for professionals in the energy and environment sectors.
