President Donald Trump strongly condemned FEMA’s performance under the Biden administration, claiming the agency has hindered disaster recovery efforts across the country. Speaking with Sean Hannity on Fox News, Trump said FEMA has become more of an obstacle than an asset in responding to natural disasters. He urged states to take the lead in recovery efforts, with federal funding providing necessary support.
“FEMA has not done their job for the last four years. You know, I had FEMA working really well,” Trump stated. He highlighted successful FEMA responses during his administration, referencing hurricanes in Florida and tornadoes in Alabama. “But unless you have certain types of leadership, it gets in the way. And FEMA is going to be a whole big discussion very shortly, because I’d rather see the states take care of their own problems.”
Trump’s remarks come amid growing criticism of FEMA’s handling of recent disasters, including Hurricane Helene, which caused widespread flooding in North Carolina and Tennessee. Rural communities have accused FEMA of delayed and uneven relief efforts, with some alleging political bias. Trump referenced reports suggesting FEMA workers avoided neighborhoods with visible support for his administration.
Allegations of Political Bias in FEMA’s Operations
Claims of partisanship within FEMA have intensified following whistleblower reports that some agency workers avoided homes displaying pro-Trump signage. The Daily Wire revealed that a FEMA supervisor in Florida instructed workers to avoid providing relief to homes advertising Trump. Similarly, North Carolinians reported entire neighborhoods being skipped if there were three or more signs supporting conservatives.
“The Democrats don’t care about North Carolina,” Trump stated. “What they’ve done with FEMA is so bad. FEMA is a whole ‘nother discussion, because all it does is complicate everything.” Trump pledged to address the situation, noting that some North Carolina communities are still struggling to recover from disasters months later.
Deanne Criswell, Biden’s FEMA chief, resigned on Monday, leaving former Navy SEAL Cameron Hamilton as the agency’s acting administrator. Trump’s comments reflect broader frustrations with FEMA’s leadership and its ability to provide equitable and timely disaster relief.
Visits to North Carolina and California Highlight Ongoing Issues
Trump plans to visit North Carolina on Friday to assess the state’s recovery efforts from Hurricane Helene, a storm that left rural areas devastated. He accused Democrats of neglecting North Carolina communities and vowed to bring attention to their ongoing struggles.
“We’re going to get that thing straightened out because they’re still suffering from a hurricane from months ago,” Trump said.
Following his trip to North Carolina, Trump will travel to Los Angeles County, California, where wildfires fueled by torrential winds have resulted in over two dozen deaths. Trump has criticized California Governor Gavin Newsom and other Democratic leaders for their handling of wildfire prevention and disaster response, describing their management as inadequate.
