Trump Announces Plans to Phase Out FEMA, Prompting Concerns in Louisiana
In a surprising announcement on Wednesday, President Donald J. Trump revealed intentions to phase out the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) post-2025 hurricane season. During an Oval Office meeting, Trump stated that responsibility for disaster response would transition to states, with some duties shifting to the Department of Homeland Security.
Trump emphasized that governors should be equipped to manage disasters like hurricanes independently. "If they can’t handle the aftermath, then maybe they shouldn’t be governor," he remarked. South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem echoed these sentiments, asserting that taxpayers should only cover necessary costs and that local leaders must take charge.
The plan has raised significant alarm among Louisiana officials, who heavily rely on federal disaster funding. The state received an average of $1.4 billion annually from FEMA and HUD from 2015 to 2024, accounting for about 6.3% of its overall spending in the fiscal year 2023.
Rep. Troy Carter cautioned against the potential consequences of eliminating FEMA, drawing parallels to past disasters: “We who have lived through Katrina know what happens when a state is left to handle a hurricane alone.” He warned that the move could put lives and properties at risk during emergencies.
Mark Cooper, a former Louisiana Homeland Security director, expressed mixed feelings, acknowledging the bureaucratic issues within FEMA but stressing its critical role in disaster response.
New Orleans city officials have also raised concerns about the implications of losing FEMA, stating that the transition may overwhelm local capacities to manage disasters effectively.
As communities brace for the potential ramifications of this significant policy shift, local leaders are calling for a clear and strategic plan to ensure vital support during emergencies.
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