US President Donald Trump visited California on Friday to witness the aftermath of wildfires that have devastated parts of the state, expressing deep concern over the destruction caused. This marks his first visit outside Washington since his inauguration earlier in the week.
During the visit, Trump highlighted the need for better disaster management and underscored the role of local and state authorities in responding to crises. Trump also visited North Carolina earlier on Friday, where he toured the damage from Hurricane Helene flooding. In North Carolina, he criticized the Democratic leadership for what he described as the state’s abandonment and mismanagement in disaster response.
Trump Criticizes FEMA
Trump’s comments about the state’s response efforts were pointed. He expressed dissatisfaction with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), describing it as slow, bureaucratic, and ineffective in handling relief efforts. He even suggested that FEMA could be eliminated in favor of direct financial aid to the states to manage their own disaster relief.
When asked about FEMA’s role in the future, Trump stated:
“FEMA’s turned out to be a disaster. I think we’re going to recommend that FEMA go away and we pay directly, we pay a percentage to the state, and the state should fix it.”
Concerns Over Trump’s Proposal
Trump’s proposal to cut or abolish FEMA has raised alarms among emergency management officials, who worry about the potential loss of federal resources needed for large-scale disasters. Deanne Criswell, former FEMA Chief under President Joe Biden, voiced concerns about the feasibility of states handling large disasters without federal support.
She said:
“State emergency management directors should be concerned about what this means for spring tornado season and the coming hurricane season. Do they have the resources to protect their residents?”
Mixed Reactions from the GOP
While Trump’s proposal to scale back FEMA aligns with his party’s ongoing discussions about cutting federal spending, it has sparked debate within his own ranks about whether such a move would hinder future disaster response. Trump’s desire to eliminate or overhaul FEMA is one of the most direct proposals to shrink the federal government’s role in disaster relief.
This visit and comments highlight Trump’s ongoing effort to position himself as a strong leader who contrasts his approach to state sovereignty with what he sees as the federal government’s failure under the Democrats.