President Donald Trump has announced plans to gradually eliminate the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) following the conclusion of the 2025 hurricane season, aiming to shift primary responsibility for disaster management to individual states.
Speaking in the Oval Office, Trump stated, “We want to wean off FEMA and bring responsibility down to the state level,” emphasizing his belief that state governors should independently manage disaster responses. Trump further asserted that states incapable of managing disasters might reflect poorly on their leadership.
As part of this restructuring, Trump indicated federal disaster assistance would decrease significantly, with any remaining federal relief managed directly through the president’s office. This comes as the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration anticipates an especially active and potentially dangerous hurricane season, concluding officially on November 30, 2025.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, whose department currently oversees FEMA, echoed Trump’s criticisms of the agency, calling it ineffective and stating that it “fundamentally needs to go away as it exists.” She is co-chairing the newly formed FEMA Review Council alongside Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, which is tasked with making recommendations on downsizing and reforming FEMA.
Noem highlighted ongoing preparations for the current hurricane season, including enhanced communication channels and interstate mutual aid agreements intended to strengthen states’ ability to manage their disaster responses independently, reserving federal intervention strictly for catastrophic circumstances.
However, federal and state emergency officials have expressed significant skepticism and concern regarding these plans. They warn that most states lack the necessary resources, budget, and personnel to adequately handle large-scale disasters without substantial federal assistance. Critics from within FEMA described the proposal as a misunderstanding of the essential federal role in managing disasters, suggesting the administration intends to “limp through hurricane season and then dismantle the agency.”
FEMA itself faces internal challenges, experiencing significant staffing reductions, morale issues, and leadership turmoil. Since January, FEMA has lost at least 10% of its workforce, and predictions indicate a reduction of around 30% by year’s end, dropping total staff from approximately 26,000 to about 18,000.
Recent leadership changes have raised further questions about the agency’s preparedness. David Richardson, a former Marine and martial arts instructor without prior disaster management experience, was appointed FEMA director by Secretary Noem. Richardson has since restructured leadership roles, placing several homeland security officials in senior positions while sidelining experienced disaster response personnel.
Communication breakdowns between FEMA and the White House have also contributed to delayed responses and financial aid distribution following recent disasters. Trump’s administration is reportedly considering tightening criteria for receiving federal disaster relief, though specific details of the long-term strategy remain unclear.
President Trump reiterated his critical stance on FEMA, calling it an “unsuccessful experiment,” and underscored his expectation that state governors handle localized disasters directly, reinforcing his broader push for reduced federal involvement in disaster response.