President Donald Trump said Friday he is considering signing an executive order to "fundamentally reform" or even eliminate the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), criticizing its disaster response efforts during a visit to hurricane-damaged areas in western North Carolina.
Speaking to reporters in Asheville, Trump described FEMA as "not good" and "a disaster", arguing the agency has been ineffective in handling natural emergencies.
"I think we’re going to recommend that FEMA go away," Trump told the press pool.
Trump’s comments come four months after Hurricane Helene devastated Buncombe County, where 42 people were killed and damage is estimated at over $50 billion. During his visit, Trump received a briefing on recovery efforts and met with families affected by the storm.
As an alternative to FEMA, Trump suggested giving governors more direct control over disaster response, proposing that federal funding be sent directly to states instead of being administered through the agency.
With an annual budget in the tens of billions of dollars and a workforce of over 20,000 employees, FEMA plays a crucial role in coordinating federal disaster response. While Trump could attempt reforms through executive action, completely eliminating the agency would require congressional approval.
Trump is set to continue his disaster-area tour with a stop in Los Angeles, where he will survey wildfire-damaged regions in Pacific Palisades. Fires continue to burn across parts of southern California, fueling further concerns about emergency response capabilities.
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