Trump Tours Disaster Sites, Attacks FEMA, And Promises Recovery Efforts
Friday marked a coast-to-coast tour by President Donald Trump as he visited communities that were affected by Hurricane Helene in North Carolina and California’s continuing wildfires. He is on his first official tour since Wednesday when he inaugurated amid controversy about the federal disaster response and recovery efforts.
Within Los Angeles, Trump put aside the contentious history that he had built with California Governor Gavin Newsom to address California’s wildfire crisis. The two leaders, often known for public disputes, showed a united effort in recovery work.
“You were there for us during COVID, and I trust we’ll work together again,” Newsom said during a joint media appearance. Trump echoed the sentiment, adding, “We’ll get it worked out.”
During a briefing in North Carolina, Trump criticized the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for its handling of disasters, particularly Hurricane Helene. He suggested overhauling or possibly abolishing the agency, advocating for states to manage their own disaster funds directly.
“FEMA has turned out to be a disaster,” Trump said. “I think we’re going to recommend that FEMA go away and redirect funding to the states.”
This marked a dramatic shift in federal disaster policy, with Trump questioning FEMA’s efficiency and its impact on local disaster response.
In Swannanoa, North Carolina, residents describe harrowing accounts of survival. Thomas Bright said he wrote goodbyes to his family as he waited on his roof for hours as floodwaters washed past. Mona Nix-Roper said she hiked to safety with her son, seeing victims along the way who were drowned by the floods.
“Horrific is all I can say,” Nix-Roper said. Trump met with survivors and promised to speed up federal aid.
During his visit to California, Trump went to wildfire-scorched areas near Los Angeles and met with local officials. The discussions involved streamlining the rebuilding process; Trump pushed for faster permitting procedures.
“Permitting should take days, not years,” said Trump, adding frustration over slow reconstruction. While California leaders have focused on environmental protection, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass also discussed her concerns about people’s insurance policies and water management within their homes.
Trump was willing to assist the state under federal aid; however, hints of conditions lay ahead, such as voter ID requirements and re-assessment of how water is redirected.
Trump’s trip was not without political controversy. He referenced allegations that FEMA crews had discriminated against his supporters and criticized Democratic policies in disaster management. Trump also excluded prominent critics, such as California Representative Adam Schiff, from the tour.
“We’ve never put strings on disaster aid for hurting Americans,” Schiff said, cautioning against politicizing recovery efforts.
Despite the controversies, Trump reassured communities of his administration’s commitment to recovery. “The federal government’s standing behind you 100%,” he told fire victims.
The visit underscored the challenges of balancing swift recovery efforts with policy changes, as Trump pushed for reforms that could reshape disaster response in the United States.
