Donald Trump recently visited disaster-stricken areas in California and North Carolina, where he suggested dismantling the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) over concerns about its effectiveness.
Trump’s visit to California and his criticism of FEMA
In California, Trump toured neighbourhoods devastated by wildfires. He travelled by helicopter, Marine One, and arrived in Pacific Palisades, a wealthy area in Los Angeles. Accompanied by First Lady Melania Trump, he walked through streets where houses had been destroyed and spoke to local residents.
He described the scene as “devastation” and said it “really is an incineration.”
Upon arriving on Air Force One, Trump met California Governor Gavin Newsom. Despite frequent tensions and personal jabs, such as referring to Newsom as “Newscum,” the two appeared to have a cordial interaction. Governor Newsom asked for help, saying, “We’re going to need your support. We’re going to need your help.”
At a news conference, Mayor Karen Bass explained that residents should return to their homes within the week, but safety from hazardous materials would be a priority. Trump interrupted, asking, “What’s hazardous waste? We’re going to have to define that.” He also repeatedly criticised California’s water policies, particularly those focused on fish conservation. He argued these policies worsened the wildfires, suggesting that if water had flowed, the fire could have been contained.
Trump’s proposal to let States manage disasters
Trump then visited North Carolina, which was still recovering from Hurricane Helene in September. While there, the president questioned FEMA’s role, saying, “FEMA has turned out to be a disaster,” and hinted at ending the agency’s involvement. FEMA has allocated $319 million in relief to North Carolina, helping local governments and citizens recover from the disaster.
Trump proposed that financial aid be distributed directly from Washington instead of through FEMA. He added that states should handle their own disaster management efforts. “I’d like to see the states take care of disasters,” he said. In his view, states should manage responses to events such as tornadoes and hurricanes.
