President Trump launches a bipartisan FEMA Review Council to address allegations of political bias and inefficiency in America’s emergency response system.
At a Glance
- Trump establishes a council of defense, homeland security, and state leadership experts to reform FEMA
- The initiative follows reports of political bias, including allegations that FEMA workers skipped homes with Trump signs
- The Executive Order directs the council to create a comprehensive report on improving FEMA’s capabilities
- Critics point to FEMA’s historically slow response times spanning multiple administrations
- The reform aims to return more disaster response authority to state-level emergency managers
Trump Establishes FEMA Review Council
President Donald Trump has formed a new FEMA Review Council tasked with reforming what he describes as a “terribly broken” emergency management system. The council brings together top officials including Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem, and Texas Governor Greg Abbott. This initiative follows an executive order signed in January that set the stage for potentially significant changes to how federal emergency management operates in the United States, with a stronger emphasis on state-level authority for disaster response.
“I am proud to announce the formation of the FEMA Review Council, comprised of Top Experts in their fields, who are Highly Respected by their peers. I know that the new Members will work hard to fix a terribly broken System, and return power to State Emergency Managers, who will help, MAKE AMERICA SAFE AGAIN. Congratulations to all!”, said President Donald Trump.
Addressing Allegations of Political Bias
The order establishing the council specifically references concerns about political bias within FEMA’s operations. One particularly contentious allegation claims that FEMA workers were directed to skip homes displaying Trump campaign signs while providing assistance after Hurricane Milton. This claim has resulted in at least one FEMA employee being terminated, though FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell has characterized this as “an isolated incident.” Trump has previously accused the agency of deliberately ignoring Republican areas during Hurricane Helene relief efforts.
Long-Standing Efficiency Concerns
Beyond allegations of political bias, FEMA has faced persistent criticism for slow response times that span multiple administrations over at least two decades. A Scripps News investigation highlighted the prolonged waits many disaster victims face when seeking federal assistance, including delays in aid distribution following Hurricane Ian in Florida. While the Biden administration attempted to address these issues by streamlining anti-fraud checks, the problems have persisted, fueling Trump’s push for systemic reform.
Mixed Reviews of Recent Performance
Despite criticism, FEMA has received some positive recognition for its recent disaster response efforts. The agency reportedly assisted over 154,000 families in North Carolina following Hurricane Helene, earning praise from both Democratic officials and some Republicans. South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster, a Republican, described FEMA’s response as “superb,” highlighting the mixed perceptions of the agency’s performance across political lines.
“As a proud son of Western North Carolina, I have seen first-hand the incredible work of the Trump Administration to help the region recover from Hurricane Helene and look forward to working with these great leaders to bring much-needed reforms to federal emergency response across the country,” said Michael Whatley.
The Path Forward
The FEMA Review Council is now tasked with developing proposals for improving the agency’s operations, surveying affected states, and producing a comprehensive report that could reshape federal emergency management. The executive order requires thorough assessment of FEMA’s current capabilities and recommendations for changes that better serve national interests. While Trump has previously considered eliminating the agency entirely, the current approach focuses on reform that would maintain federal funding while shifting more operational responsibility to state-level emergency managers.
