Trump’s Plan to Dismantle FEMA Raises Concerns Over State Readiness

President Donald Trump announced plans to begin phasing out the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) after the 2025 hurricane season, which is a move that  would overwhelm states already struggling with the growing costs of climate disasters.

“We want to wean off of FEMA and bring it down to the state level,” Trump said Tuesday in the Oval Office, joined by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. He expressed a desire to cut federal disaster aid and instead distribute funds “directly,” though he did not specify how. “FEMA should no longer exist as it is,” said Noem.

FEMA has already undergone major shifts under Trump. Over 2,000 employees have left or been fired since January, and key programs like door-to-door survivor outreach have been suspended. Several disaster declarations remain pending for weeks.

FEMA plays a vital role in coordinating federal support, distributing aid, and funding rebuilding after emergencies. Michael Coen, former FEMA chief of staff under Obama and Biden, warned the proposal shows a lack of understanding of FEMA’s $30 billion annual responsibilities.

Additionally, eliminating FEMA would require congressional changes to the Stafford Act, which governs disaster declarations and cost-sharing. Without federal aid, states could face untenable costs. A recent Urban Institute study found that by reducing the threshold of what the federal government considers to be a disaster, 71% of events between the years 2008 to 2024 would not qualify for federal aid. The result would be additional costs to the state and local government of $41 billion. Many states are concerned about their ability to raise such additional funds. 

However, Trump dismissed concerns about state capacity: “If they can’t handle the aftermath, then maybe they shouldn’t be govern