President Donald Trump has raised concerns about FEMA’s role in disaster recovery, pointing to its slow response in North Carolina and other crisis areas as proof that the agency needs major reform. His administration, after taking over relief efforts in North Carolina, resolved 80% of outstanding cases in less than a week—far faster than FEMA under the previous administration.
Trump’s visit to the region reinforced his criticism of FEMA’s inefficiency. “Some residents still don’t have hot water, drinking water, or anything else,” he said, condemning the months-long delays that left families struggling. At one point, he noted, half of the emergency calls to FEMA had gone unanswered.
Noem, who toured the impacted areas, met with residents and officials to assess the situation. She stated that Trump had already secured over $54 million in aid and helped register 2,600 families who had been left out of FEMA’s original relief efforts. “President Trump came in and visited this community, and in less than 20 days secured over $54 million for families in need,” she said.
Trump’s administration is now considering whether FEMA should continue operating as it does today. The agency has been widely criticized for its failures not only in North Carolina but in past disasters, including its handling of Hurricane Katrina and California wildfires. Trump has suggested that FEMA’s role could be eliminated in favor of block grants that allow states to manage disaster relief themselves.
Noem indicated that this approach is under review. “You’ve heard him make comments that he might even want to end it and have it be a process where the federal government sends block grants,” she stated. FEMA reports that 153,000 households have received assistance, but Trump’s administration has argued that relief should not take months to reach those in need.
As Trump continues efforts to reshape disaster response in the U.S., discussions over FEMA’s future remain ongoing.
