‘TERMINATED!’ Trump Calls to End FEMA and Let States Manage Disasters for ‘BIG SAVINGS’

[essentialsaltes]

Trump has made similar comments since taking office, but in his most recent post added that FEMA is “now under review and investigation” – presumably by Elon Musk’s DOGE.

According to recent reports, the three states that have collected the most in FEMA funding are Florida, Louisiana, and Texas. Axios reported in October that those red states’ “residents have received the lion’s share of FEMA direct assistance since 2015, per newly gathered data.”

 

[iluvatar5150]

I'd like to see how this plays out.

 

[Fantine]

Why is Trump targeting the "Democratic areas?" Why is he always harping on California, whose forests are owned--and should be maintained by--the federal government? Why did he slack on the job of maintaining California forests when he was president? I'm sure he had the realtors out there trying to sell them to corporations.
58%
Nearly 58% of California's 33 million acres of forestlands are owned by the federal government, while the state owns only 3%12. Joint state-federal management is crucial to California's overall forest health and wildfire resilience1.
Why should California be responsible for repairing damage from forest fires due to poorly maintained federal forests and a current government pretending climate change doesn't exist?

Some states have far more disasters than others--most of them red, southern states--Florida, Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, the Carolinas.
(And while we're at it, isn't it time to stop trotting out that tired debunked lie about FEMA refusing to fix houses of Republicans! Just because Trump believes you should only help your party (if you don't believe that, read the original post over) doesn't mean presidents with character and integrity would agree.

We are the United States--let's help one another. And while we're at it, maybe the president can get back on annexing Canada. We need another two Senate seats, more House seats than California or Texas, and an unbelievable Electoral College advantage. Canada is progressive.

 

[Nithavela]

How about just abolishing the federal government and let every state turn into it's own independent country?

Imagine the savings!

 

[QvQ]

FEMA, I worked for FEMA during Katrina.
When even the public officials are in shock, the infrastructure is in total collapse, FEMA performs a vital function.
The States were so devastated, it was necessary for the Federal Government to aid and organize.
FEMA most likely does need audits and probably has waste fraud, corruption and discrimination
FEMA, just as any government agency, needs to be audited, monitored and oversighted
But FEMA performs a very important Federal function.
I would say reorganize FEMA but it is a necessary agency within the Federal government.

 

[Pommer]

FEMA, I worked for FEMA during Katrina.
When even the public officials are in shock, the infrastructure is in total collapse, FEMA performs a vital function.
The States were so devastated, it was necessary for the Federal Government to aid and organize.
FEMA most likely does need audits and probably has waste fraud, corruption and discrimination
FEMA, just as any government agency, needs to be audited, monitored and oversighted
But FEMA performs a very important Federal function.
I would say reorganize FEMA but it is a necessary agency within the Federal government.

Well, if the President gets his way, FEMA will be DOA, (so much [for] winning!)

 

[essentialsaltes]

I'd like to see how this plays out.

I guess in my mind, Congress appropriates funds disaster by disaster, over a Trump veto if necessary, and the executive branch would be forced to create an organization from scratch to Administer and Manage Emergency Funding, AMEF if you will.

Nah, that would require Republicans to go against Trump's will.

 

[Landon Caeli]

Uh oh... They're going to find out how the power companies use fema to upgrade their systems outside of the actual disaster.

 

[Laodicean60]

Since I feel debt will be a problem for my kids someday of course I want to see reform or eliminate FEMA. Sadly this is only one dept in FEMA.

Some specific examples of alleged improper payments by FEMA's IHP department include:

• A 2020 OIG report found that FEMA had made approximately $1.2 billion in improper payments to individuals who did not meet the eligibility requirements for disaster assistance.
• A 2019 GAO report found that FEMA had made approximately $100 million in duplicate payments to individuals who had already received benefits.
• 1. **$1.4 billion in improper payments to non-citizens**: A 2020 OIG report found that FEMA had made approximately $1.4 billion in improper payments to non-citizens who were not eligible for disaster assistance.
  2. **$500 million in duplicate payments**: A 2019 GAO report found that FEMA had made approximately $500 million in duplicate payments to individuals who had already received benefits.
  3. **$200 million in payments to individuals with invalid Social Security numbers**: A 2018 OIG report found that FEMA had made approximately $200 million in payments to individuals with invalid Social Security numbers.
  4. **$150 million in payments to individuals with outstanding warrants**: A 2017 GAO report found that FEMA had made approximately $150 million in payments to individuals with outstanding warrants or debts.
  5. **$100 million in payments to individuals who did not live in the affected area**: A 2016 OIG report found that FEMA had made approximately $100 million in payments to individuals who did not live in the affected area.
  6. **$50 million in payments to individuals who had already received benefits from other sources**: A 2015 GAO report found that FEMA had made approximately $50 million in payments to individuals who had already received benefits from other sources, such as insurance companies.
  7. **$20 million in payments to individuals who were deceased**: A 2014 OIG report found that FEMA had made approximately $20 million in payments to individuals who were deceased.
  8. **$10 million in payments to individuals who were incarcerated**: A 2013 GAO report found that FEMA had made approximately $10 million in payments to individuals who were incarcerated.
  9. These examples highlight the need for FEMA to continue to improve its internal controls

 

[The IbanezerScrooge]

Since I feel debt will be a problem for my kids someday of course I want to see reform or eliminate FEMA. Sadly this is only one dept in FEMA.

Some specific examples of alleged improper payments by FEMA's IHP department include:

• A 2020 OIG report found that FEMA had made approximately $1.2 billion in improper payments to individuals who did not meet the eligibility requirements for disaster assistance.
• A 2019 GAO report found that FEMA had made approximately $100 million in duplicate payments to individuals who had already received benefits.
• 1. **$1.4 billion in improper payments to non-citizens**: A 2020 OIG report found that FEMA had made approximately $1.4 billion in improper payments to non-citizens who were not eligible for disaster assistance.
  2. **$500 million in duplicate payments**: A 2019 GAO report found that FEMA had made approximately $500 million in duplicate payments to individuals who had already received benefits.
  3. **$200 million in payments to individuals with invalid Social Security numbers**: A 2018 OIG report found that FEMA had made approximately $200 million in payments to individuals with invalid Social Security numbers.
  4. **$150 million in payments to individuals with outstanding warrants**: A 2017 GAO report found that FEMA had made approximately $150 million in payments to individuals with outstanding warrants or debts.
  5. **$100 million in payments to individuals who did not live in the affected area**: A 2016 OIG report found that FEMA had made approximately $100 million in payments to individuals who did not live in the affected area.
  6. **$50 million in payments to individuals who had already received benefits from other sources**: A 2015 GAO report found that FEMA had made approximately $50 million in payments to individuals who had already received benefits from other sources, such as insurance companies.
  7. **$20 million in payments to individuals who were deceased**: A 2014 OIG report found that FEMA had made approximately $20 million in payments to individuals who were deceased.
  8. **$10 million in payments to individuals who were incarcerated**: A 2013 GAO report found that FEMA had made approximately $10 million in payments to individuals who were incarcerated.
  9. These examples highlight the need for FEMA to continue to improve its internal controls

A link to this info would be great!

And also... Look! More stuff that has been known for more than a decade that DOGE will "uncover" and take credit for "exposing."

 

[FAITH-IN-HIM]

While I understand President Trump's intention to reduce federal budget, I am uncertain why any Red State would endorse this idea. States with a predominantly Blue demographic that experience major natural disasters have substantial GDPs. These states, such as California, New York, or Illinois, could potentially establish their own equivalents of FEMA and fund these agencies independently. However, states like Mississippi, Alabama, Kentucky, and Louisiana may struggle to sustain themselves without federal assistance, even for a short period.

The most important aspect is that when disasters strike, it doesn't matter whether the state is red or blue, or whether individuals are liberal or conservative. It is Americans who suffer. The source of funding is not as significant as ensuring that fellow Americans receive support during their most vulnerable times.

 

[hedrick]

Since I feel debt will be a problem for my kids someday of course I want to see reform or eliminate FEMA. Sadly this is only one dept in FEMA.

Some specific examples of alleged improper payments by FEMA's IHP department include:

• A 2020 OIG report found that FEMA had made approximately $1.2 billion in improper payments to individuals who did not meet the eligibility requirements for disaster assistance.
• A 2019 GAO report found that FEMA had made approximately $100 million in duplicate payments to individuals who had already received benefits.
• 1. **$1.4 billion in improper payments to non-citizens**: A 2020 OIG report found that FEMA had made approximately $1.4 billion in improper payments to non-citizens who were not eligible for disaster assistance.
  2. **$500 million in duplicate payments**: A 2019 GAO report found that FEMA had made approximately $500 million in duplicate payments to individuals who had already received benefits.
  3. **$200 million in payments to individuals with invalid Social Security numbers**: A 2018 OIG report found that FEMA had made approximately $200 million in payments to individuals with invalid Social Security numbers.
  4. **$150 million in payments to individuals with outstanding warrants**: A 2017 GAO report found that FEMA had made approximately $150 million in payments to individuals with outstanding warrants or debts.
  5. **$100 million in payments to individuals who did not live in the affected area**: A 2016 OIG report found that FEMA had made approximately $100 million in payments to individuals who did not live in the affected area.
  6. **$50 million in payments to individuals who had already received benefits from other sources**: A 2015 GAO report found that FEMA had made approximately $50 million in payments to individuals who had already received benefits from other sources, such as insurance companies.
  7. **$20 million in payments to individuals who were deceased**: A 2014 OIG report found that FEMA had made approximately $20 million in payments to individuals who were deceased.
  8. **$10 million in payments to individuals who were incarcerated**: A 2013 GAO report found that FEMA had made approximately $10 million in payments to individuals who were incarcerated.
  9. These examples highlight the need for FEMA to continue to improve its internal controls

Note that shifting the job to the states won’t make controls easier. The Federal,government has inspectors and auditors to catch this sort of thing, though Trump seems to be eliminating them. That’s why we have the list. Developing that for 50 states will be a challenge. This list, of course, is over a number of years, mostly those of the first Trump administration.

FEMA also provides a central pool of expertise and supplies. I doubt states will want to duplicate this individually. The most efficient approach would be for states to join in a joint state equivalent of FEMA, though funding it will be difficult for many states.

 

[Laodicean60]

A link to this info would be great!

And also... Look! More stuff that has been known for more than a decade that DOGE will "uncover" and take credit for "exposing."

I forgot to mention that it was AI-generated and should have copied the sources as if anyone would read it in their tribal warfare.

sba.gov
Audit of the Office of Disaster Assistance Improper Payment Appeal Process | U.S. Small Business Administration

oig.dhs.gov
FEMA Has Made More than $3 Billion in Improper and Potentially Fraudulent Payments for Home Repair Assistance since 2003 | Office of Inspector General

disasterassistance.gov
FEMA Individuals and Households Program (IHP) - Housing Assistance | disasterassistance.gov

oig.dhs.gov

Since I feel debt will be a problem for my kids someday of course I want to see reform or eliminate FEMA. Sadly this is only one dept in FEMA.

I also include all Americans if the debt crisis comes to fruition.

And also... Look! More stuff that has been known for more than a decade that DOGE will "uncover" and take credit for "exposing."

You may be focused on DOGE but I am against wasteful spending no matter which tribe is doing it seems to me common sense once you learn what too much debt will do. Shall we go back 20 years?

 

[Laodicean60]

Note that shifting the job to the states won’t make controls easier.

Have we tried this before? I honestly don't know but the status quo doesn't seem to be working.

The Federal,government has inspectors and auditors to catch this sort of thing, though Trump seems to be eliminating them.

These guys are doing a terrible job when it comes to waste. FEMA is an octopus with many tentacles and if one dept has wasteful spending then I can guess the other dept. has some waste.

 

[QvQ]

Here is a fact:
FEMA and USAID were created by Executive Order
If these agencies were created by Executive Order, they can be ended by Executive Order
Congress created the Department of Education.

 

[RocksInMyHead]

Here is a fact:
FEMA and USAID were created by Executive Order
If these agencies were created by Executive Order, they can be ended by Executive Order
Congress created the Department of Education.

It's not quite that simple, at least in the case of USAID. USAID was created by executive order, yes, but it was at the direction of Congress. Congress passed the Foreign Assistance Act, which mandated the establishment of an agency to distribute economic aid. President Kennedy created USAID by executive order in order to fulfill that requirement. The Foreign Assistance Act is renewed every year, so the existence of USAID continues to be required by law. Should Trump wish to disband USAID, he could, but he would also have a legal requirement to stand up a replacement agency to perform the same functions. We could call it the USIDA, I guess.

 

[essentialsaltes]

DHS Sec. Noem says will move to ‘eliminate’ FEMA, a long-time Trump target

US Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem told a Cabinet meeting Monday that the department would move to “eliminate” the government’s disaster relief agency, days after President Donald Trump signed an executive order directing state and local governments to “play a more active and significant role” in responding to such catastrophes.

Trump wants states to handle disasters. States aren't prepared​

 

[Pommer]

DHS Sec. Noem says will move to ‘eliminate’ FEMA, a long-time Trump target

US Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem told a Cabinet meeting Monday that the department would move to “eliminate” the government’s disaster relief agency, days after President Donald Trump signed an executive order directing state and local governments to “play a more active and significant role” in responding to such catastrophes.

Trump wants states to handle disasters. States aren't prepared​

We’ll save oodles!

 

[Fantine]

Yay, Florida will become a blue state...let's get this news out before April 1. There are two Congressional seats up, in very Republican districts, one vacated by Matt Gaetz.

The odds are against us--but Florida would really be hurt by this--probably more than any other state except California.

 

[iluvatar5150]

DHS Sec. Noem says will move to ‘eliminate’ FEMA, a long-time Trump target

US Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem told a Cabinet meeting Monday that the department would move to “eliminate” the government’s disaster relief agency, days after President Donald Trump signed an executive order directing state and local governments to “play a more active and significant role” in responding to such catastrophes.

Trump wants states to handle disasters. States aren't prepared​

Yay, Florida will become a blue state...let's get this news out before April 1. There are two Congressional seats up, in very Republican districts, one vacated by Matt Gaetz.

The odds are against us--but Florida would really be hurt by this--probably more than any other state except California.

Tornado alley is going to have a fun time, too.