President Donald Trump issued strong criticism of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) during his recent visit to North Carolina, asserting the agency's response to Hurricane Helene has been disappointing and calling for significant changes to disaster relief management.
Landing in Asheville on Friday, Trump denounced FEMA, stating, "FEMA has really let us down, let the country down. I don’t know if that's Biden's fault or whose fault it is, but we're going to take over, and we're going to do a good job." This visit marks Trump's first trip to North Carolina since beginning his second term, following the devastating effects of Hurricane Helene, which killed over 100 people and caused extensive damage to infrastructure.
Trump's remarks echoed sentiments expressed during his earlier Fox News interview, where he described FEMA's efforts as inadequate. He argued, "FEMA just hasn’t done the job. And we’re looking at the same concept of FEMA. I like, frankly, the concept when North Carolina gets hit, the governor takes care of it. When Florida gets hit, the governor takes care of it." This line of reasoning suggests he believes state governments should manage disaster responses more effectively than federally managed agencies.
The president went on to announce his intent to assign North Carolina native and Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Whatley to lead recovery efforts for the state, indicating, "We’re going to supply the money, supply a lot of the money, maybe have to chip in something — like maybe 25 percent or whatever." His remarks reflect his frustration with what he sees as bureaucratic slowdowns within FEMA.
During his visit, Trump reinforced his views about state-led disaster management, claiming it could provide faster and cheaper solutions. He stated, "I think when there's a problem with the state, I think the problem should be taken care of by the state. That's what we have states for; they take care of problems, and a governor can handle something very quickly." His criticisms extended to former President Biden, whom he blamed for the federal government's lackluster response. Trump said, "Biden did a bad job," and labeled FEMA’s performance amid the crisis as "a disaster."
North Carolina Governor Josh Stein (D) welcomed Trump upon his arrival, acknowledging his visit as a signal of goodwill. Stein actively requested additional federal aid for recovery efforts, emphasizing the urgent needs of North Carolinians affected by Hurricane Helene, and hoped for support amounting to $20 billion along with complete reimbursement for FEMA expenses.
Trump assured residents of North Carolina during his stops, intending to offer immediate relief and improved assistance, declaring, "We want to take care of the people of North Carolina. Everybody’s talking about California and that's a mess, but I said, I’m not going to California before I stop in North Carolina." He's set to address wildfire damages next.
While discussing his response plan, Trump pointed out potential plans to implement significant changes to FEMA, saying he might even suggest eliminating the agency entirely. He expressed the need for what he described as "an overhaul" of FEMA's structure, reiteratively outlining how states could take on more responsibility for managing localized disasters.
This assertion isn't unprecedented. Trump, during his presidency, has frequently critiqued FEMA and suggested switching funding structures away from centralized federal control, indicating states could manage disaster funds directly as they understand community needs. He added, "A governor can handle something very quickly."
Despite the optimism conveyed, local residents have raised concerns about the adequacy of assistance received from federal sources. Many continue to struggle with the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, prompting Trump to address on-the-ground needs, making promises for expedited recovery. He plans to utilize the Army Corps of Engineers to expedite repairs to water systems and urged the elimination of "red tape" for infrastructure rebuilding. "We’re going to go through a permitting process called no permitting. Just get it done," he stated, emphasizing the need for immediate action.
The encounter with community members revealed their hardships post-disaster, with stories of loss, battling insurance claims, and inadequate help from FEMA. Pastor Ramona Nix from the Eagle Rock Church recounted the gravity of the situation, expressing empathy for distressed families, and adding, "The need was so great. The people were so desperate... They were coming in day and night."
While meeting with storm victims, Trump's remarks included unfounded claims about FEMA prioritizing aid for migrants over North Carolinians affected by Hurricane Helene. Similarly, he has also sought political leverage, implying changes could be made to disaster assistance for California, based around conditions he seeks to impose as related to the state’s water policies and other administrative practices.
Notably, this visit to North Carolina treads familiar ground for Trump, who has consistently intertwined political positioning with responses to natural disasters. During his first term, he made headlines for remarks tied to federal aid being appropriated based on politeness from state leaders. Nevertheless, supporters like Laurie Carpenter, who expressed hope for effective federal intervention, believe Trump’s involvement will facilitate the needed support. "If anybody’s going to do something about it, I think he will," she said.
This complex intersection of federal authority and state governance continues to evolve as Trump weighs options around disaster response strategies, revitalizing conversation about how Americans cope with the effects of catastrophic events amid shifting political landscapes.