Restore FEMA Now—Disaster Relief Shouldn’t Be Political

A massive winter storm just hit the United States, bringing ice, heavy snow, prolonged power outages, and life-threatening cold across nearly half the country. Families are facing devastation — and right now, the federal agency meant to help them is dangerously unprepared.

Under Donald Trump, FEMA has been hollowed out just as disasters grow more frequent and more severe. Staffing cuts, hiring freezes, and budget rollbacks have left the agency scrambling.

We’ve already seen the consequences of Trump's gutting of FEMA. In December, FEMA denied Colorado’s request for a major disaster declaration after devastating wildfires and flooding, forcing communities to rebuild alone. In Arizona, FEMA rejected federal flood aid after severe storms, leaving towns stranded without promised support. In North Carolina, FEMA’s failures became so extreme that a federal judge had to order the agency to reinstate disaster mitigation funds meant to prevent future flooding and save lives. 

Now, Trump’s administration has reportedly paused — but not reversed — plans to cut FEMA even further.

Disaster relief should not be a partisan favor. It is a basic responsibility of government. But again and again, FEMA under Trump has delayed aid, raised arbitrary standards, and subjected some states to harsher treatment when their residents need help the most.

Tell Acting FEMA Administrator Karen Evans and DHS Secretary Kristi Noem: Restore full FEMA staffing, protect regional FEMA offices, and deliver disaster relief and mitigation funds without delay, denials, or court orders.

The petition to Acting FEMA Administrator Karen Evans and DHS Secretary Kristi Noem reads: “Restore full FEMA staffing, protect regional FEMA offices, and deliver disaster relief and mitigation funds without delay, denials, or court orders.”