Trump Administration Moves Toward FEMA Reform as Questions Mount Over Disaster Funding

Cameron Hamilton’s firing comes as President Donald Trump intensifies efforts to reshape—or possibly dismantle—FEMA, which has faced bipartisan scrutiny for its performance in recent years. The decision follows weeks of public criticism from Trump, who has accused the agency of mismanaging resources and failing to deliver timely disaster relief.

During a recent visit to North Carolina, where residents continue to recover from last year’s Hurricane Helene, Trump outlined his intent to “fundamentally reform” FEMA. He even floated the idea of transferring emergency response responsibilities directly to state governments. “I’ll also be signing an executive order to begin the process of fundamentally reforming and overhauling FEMA, or maybe getting rid of FEMA,” Trump said during his stop in the state. “I think, frankly, FEMA is not good.”

The president pledged swift assistance to affected communities, emphasizing a more localized approach to disaster management. “We’re going to fix it, and we’re going to fix it as fast as you can,” he said. “FEMA has really let us down. Let the country down. And I don’t know if that’s Biden’s fault or whose fault it is, but we’re going to take over. We’re going to do a good job.”

Trump’s remarks have ignited debate among lawmakers, with some supporting the call for reform and others warning that eliminating FEMA could weaken national emergency preparedness. The administration argues that allowing states to handle disaster recovery directly could reduce costs and accelerate response times.

“I’d like to see the states take care of disasters — let the state take care of the tornadoes and hurricanes and all the other things that happen,” Trump said. “You’ll do it for less than half, and you’re going to get a lot quicker response.”

As the reshuffling continues, FEMA’s future remains uncertain. The agency faces both operational challenges and political scrutiny, with new leadership tasked with restoring confidence while navigating one of the most significant overhauls in its modern history.