Trump wants states to handle disasters. States aren't prepared

[C_Clayton_Jones]

‘Trump has signed an executive order directing state and local governments to "play a more active and significant role" in preparing for disasters. For months, Trump has said he's considering getting rid of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the country's disaster response arm. "I say you don't need FEMA, you need a good state government," Trump said while visiting the Los Angeles fires in January. "FEMA is a very expensive, in my opinion, mostly failed situation."

But emergency management experts say Trump's order technically wouldn't do much to shift responsibility. Currently, local and state governments are already in charge of disasters. The question is whether the Trump administration will begin withdrawing the federal resources and funding that states rely on.

When a major hurricane, flood or wildfire hits, FEMA starts working on a disaster only when requested by the state government. The agency organizes thousands of federal workers who help in disaster response and process claims for millions of dollars in aid. Even then, states and local governments still remain in charge.

Without FEMA, states would need to find thousands of additional personnel to inspect damage, distribute disaster aid and plan the rebuilding of public infrastructure. Without federal funding, states would face billions of dollars in recovery costs. After Hurricane Irma in 2017, Florida relied on more than $5.5 billion dollars from the federal government.’

https://www.npr.org/2025/03/21/nx-s1-5327595/trump-order-fema-states-disaster-response

Another example of Trump’s ignorance, stupidity, and incompetence.

Trump and the right’s moronic obsession with ‘the states’ and ‘downsizing’ the Federal government is reckless, irresponsible, and wrongheaded – Republicans are incapable of sound, responsible governance.

 

[sparky]

fema is little more than federal funding, which is our tax $$$'s

maybe if the feds stopped sending $$$$ overseas (let them take care of themselves) , there'd be more to take care of our own

~S~

 

[Moonglow]

fema is little more than federal funding, which is our tax $$$'s

maybe if the feds stopped sending $$$$ overseas (let them take care of themselves) , there'd be more to take care of our own

~S~

Maybe we should cut the budget of the White House staff?

 

[sparky]

delete

 

[Dekster]

‘Trump has signed an executive order directing state and local governments to "play a more active and significant role" in preparing for disasters. For months, Trump has said he's considering getting rid of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the country's disaster response arm. "I say you don't need FEMA, you need a good state government," Trump said while visiting the Los Angeles fires in January. "FEMA is a very expensive, in my opinion, mostly failed situation."

But emergency management experts say Trump's order technically wouldn't do much to shift responsibility. Currently, local and state governments are already in charge of disasters. The question is whether the Trump administration will begin withdrawing the federal resources and funding that states rely on.

When a major hurricane, flood or wildfire hits, FEMA starts working on a disaster only when requested by the state government. The agency organizes thousands of federal workers who help in disaster response and process claims for millions of dollars in aid. Even then, states and local governments still remain in charge.

Without FEMA, states would need to find thousands of additional personnel to inspect damage, distribute disaster aid and plan the rebuilding of public infrastructure. Without federal funding, states would face billions of dollars in recovery costs. After Hurricane Irma in 2017, Florida relied on more than $5.5 billion dollars from the federal government.’

https://www.npr.org/2025/03/21/nx-s1-5327595/trump-order-fema-states-disaster-response

Another example of Trump’s ignorance, stupidity, and incompetence.

Trump and the right’s moronic obsession with ‘the states’ and ‘downsizing’ the Federal government is reckless, irresponsible, and wrongheaded – Republicans are incapable of sound, responsible governance.

You do know that "prepare for disasters" often means the same thing as "adapting to climate change" dontcha? Build better stormwater infrastructure, harden up utilities, etc.

 

[kyzr]

If states are given funding saved from deleting FEMA they could do a better job.

 

[EvilCat Breath]

Democrats are afraid that states would provide aid to Republicans.

 

[elektra]

States that repeatedly suffer disasters are prepared. That is what the state politicians told the people to stay elected.

Now for some reason states can't handle what has happened for over a 100 years?

 

[ThisIsMe]

Maybe we should cut the budget of the White House staff?

Hmm...how much do they make? Might be worth looking into...as well as the salaries of everyone in congress.

 

[d0gbreath]

Red state governors are cringing at that possibility.

 

[EvilCat Breath]

The states are well prepared. After all, it's not their first Daddy Daughter Dance.

 

[Independent thinker]

‘Trump has signed an executive order directing state and local governments to "play a more active and significant role" in preparing for disasters. For months, Trump has said he's considering getting rid of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the country's disaster response arm. "I say you don't need FEMA, you need a good state government," Trump said while visiting the Los Angeles fires in January. "FEMA is a very expensive, in my opinion, mostly failed situation."

But emergency management experts say Trump's order technically wouldn't do much to shift responsibility. Currently, local and state governments are already in charge of disasters. The question is whether the Trump administration will begin withdrawing the federal resources and funding that states rely on.

When a major hurricane, flood or wildfire hits, FEMA starts working on a disaster only when requested by the state government. The agency organizes thousands of federal workers who help in disaster response and process claims for millions of dollars in aid. Even then, states and local governments still remain in charge.

Without FEMA, states would need to find thousands of additional personnel to inspect damage, distribute disaster aid and plan the rebuilding of public infrastructure. Without federal funding, states would face billions of dollars in recovery costs. After Hurricane Irma in 2017, Florida relied on more than $5.5 billion dollars from the federal government.’

https://www.npr.org/2025/03/21/nx-s1-5327595/trump-order-fema-states-disaster-response

Another example of Trump’s ignorance, stupidity, and incompetence.

Trump and the right’s moronic obsession with ‘the states’ and ‘downsizing’ the Federal government is reckless, irresponsible, and wrongheaded – Republicans are incapable of sound, responsible governance.

Then states need to get prepared. I mean every state has a national guard. Why do we let them throw frisbees around 50 weeks out of the year?

 

[DGS49]

I guess I need to start or join a Society of Tenther's.

The Society would be devoted to reminding the American public that the Federal government is a government of LIMITED powers, as it states very clearly in the Tenth Amendment. The powers set forth for the Feds, and especially Congress, are clearly and concisely set forth in the body of the Constitution, and most of them appear in Section 8 of Article I.

Congress has NO POWERS to get into the education business, healthcare, radio & television broadcasting, housing, feeding the hungry, saving the planet, or fighting the impacts of natural disasters. It's just not there.

And those tasks fall back on the States and the private sector (the "people").

If the Feds confined themselves to what they are Constitutionally empowered to do, we would have Federal surpluses every year.

All hail President Trump! The only President of the past hundred years who seems to get it.