President Donald Trump On Sunday, he reviewed the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) after signing an executive order aimed at “drastically” improving the agency’s efficiency, priorities and competence.
Trump’s executive order establishes a FEMA Review Board that will consist of no more than 20 members and will be co-chaired by the Secretaries of Homeland Security and Defense.
The council is being formed after FEMA’s response to Hurricane Helena and other recent disasters showed a need to improve “efficiency, priorities and competence, including an assessment of whether FEMA’s disaster response bureaucracy” is hindering its ability to respond successfully.
“Despite committing nearly $30 billion in disaster relief each of the last three years, FEMA has managed to leave vulnerable Americans without the resources or support they need when they need it most,” the executive order says. “There are serious concerns Political bias at FEMA. Indeed, at least one former FEMA responder stated that FEMA managers directed her to avoid the homes of individuals supporting Donald J. Trump’s campaign for president. “
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A drone view shows a Walgreens in Asheville, North Carolina, damaged by Hurricane Helene on September 29, 2024. (Reuters/Marco Bello)
Trump also said FEMA has lost mission focus, diverting limited resources and personnel to support missions beyond its scope and authority. The president specifically pointed out that FEMA has spent more than a billion dollars welcoming illegal immigrants.
“Americans deserve immediate, effective and impartial disaster response and recovery,” the order continued. “FEMA therefore requires a review as a whole, by individuals experienced in effective disaster response and recovery, who will recommend to the President improvements or structural changes to promote the national interest and enable national resilience.”
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President Donald Trump has shared plans to overhaul FEMA after saying he thinks the agency is “not good.” (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)
Trump announced Friday that he plans to overhaul FEMA as North Carolina is still recovering from Hurricane Helena more than 120 days after The storm devastated the country.
“I will also sign an executive order to begin the process of fundamentally reforming and overhauling FEMA, or perhaps getting rid of FEMA,” Trump told reporters in North Carolina on Friday morning. “I think, frankly, FEMA is no good.”
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A van floats in flood waters near Biltmore Village after Hurricane Helena on September 28, 2024 in Asheville, North Carolina. (Sean Rayford/Getty Images)
Trump has promised that his administration will enter and Help in North Carolina To quickly repair the damage, promising to “do a good job” for the country.
The president also said he would like states to take more responsibility when disasters strike, arguing that those familiar with the state are better equipped to provide disaster response and relief.
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So far, the US Army Corps of Engineers says only half of Hurricane Helena debris recovery is complete. In addition, thousands of families in North Carolina are staying in hotels that FEMA foots the bill for Transitional assistance program.
Fox News Digital’s Diana Stancy contributed to this report.
