President Donald Trump has announced plans to phase out FEMA after 2025 hurricane season, shifting disaster response to states. Learn what this means for emergency management across the U.S.
Trump to Phase Out FEMA After 2025 Hurricane Season: Disaster Response Shifting to States
In a dramatic change to the federal government’s disaster management framework, former President Donald Trump announced on Tuesday that his administration plans to phase out the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) following the conclusion of the 2025 hurricane season. Trump made this statement during a media briefing in the Oval Office, signaling a clear intent to shift disaster preparedness and response responsibilities away from the federal government and into the hands of individual states.
The FEMA After 2025 hurricane season, expected to be one of the most intense and dangerous in recent years according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), will serve as FEMA’s final operational season if Trump’s plans go through. After November 30—the official end of hurricane season—Trump aims to significantly scale back FEMA’s operations and eventually eliminate the agency altogether.
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“Wean Off FEMA” — Trump’s Vision
Trump emphasized his philosophy that state governments should be primarily responsible for managing disasters. “We want to wean off of FEMA After 2025, and we want to bring it down to the state level,” Trump said. “A governor should be able to handle it. And if they can’t handle the aftermath, maybe they shouldn’t be governor.”
Trump further explained that future disaster aid will be distributed directly from the president’s office rather than through FEMA, with significantly less funding being allocated than in past years. The federal role would only be activated in extreme, catastrophic circumstances.
Homeland Security Secretary Noem Echoes Support
Kristi Noem, Secretary of Homeland Security and co-chair of the new FEMA After 2025 Review Council, echoed Trump’s sentiment. She declared that FEMA, in its current form, is outdated and ineffective. “We all know from the past that FEMA has failed thousands if not millions of people,” Noem stated. “President Trump does not want to see that pattern continue.”
Noem added that the federal government is working to establish mutual aid agreements among states, enabling them to support one another in the wake of disasters without depending on FEMA. She stressed that while FEMA would still assist in “catastrophic situations,” states must be prepared to respond independently to most emergencies.
FEMA Review Council and Staff Reductions
The FEMA Review Council, co-chaired by Noem and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, is preparing a set of recommendations to significantly reduce FEMA’s size and operational responsibilities. The council’s findings, expected in the coming months, will likely set the course for a major transformation—or complete dissolution—of the agency.
These efforts coincide with widespread staffing challenges at FEMA. The agency has entered the 2025 hurricane season with approximately 10% of its workforce already gone since January. Projections suggest the agency will lose nearly 30% of its personnel by year-end, dropping from 26,000 employees to just about 18,000.
Internal sources report that morale is low, and the agency has struggled with leadership instability. Senior leaders have resigned, and many experienced disaster management professionals have been reassigned or demoted.
FEMA Leadership Under Fire
Adding to concerns is the recent appointment of David Richardson as FEMA’s new director. Richardson, a former marine combat veteran with no background in disaster management, previously worked in the Department of Homeland Security’s Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction office.
Since taking over, Richardson has brought in several homeland security officials with little or no emergency management experience, replacing seasoned FEMA staff. Critics inside and outside the agency have expressed alarm that these appointments could undermine FEMA’s already fragile operational capabilities.
Richardson had promised a revised plan for the 2025 hurricane season but abruptly announced last week that no such plan would be published. Instead, FEMA will continue using the 2024 disaster response framework—a decision many see as a step backward during a critical time.
Communication Breakdowns and Operational Delays
Recent breakdowns in communication between the White House and FEMA have also affected operations. In some cases, disaster declarations approved by the president were not immediately communicated to FEMA, delaying crucial financial aid to disaster-affected areas.
These delays have sparked concerns about the administration’s ability to manage timely responses during natural disasters. Critics argue that such issues highlight FEMA’s necessity, especially during widespread emergencies that overwhelm local resources.
State Emergency Managers Raise Concerns
Trump’s plan has faced backlash from federal and state emergency management experts, who warn that eliminating FEMA could create dangerous gaps in national disaster preparedness. Many states lack the financial resources, infrastructure, and trained personnel needed to respond to large-scale emergencies independently.
“This is a complete misunderstanding of the role of the federal government in emergency management,” one former FEMA official told CNN. “It’s an abdication of responsibility. Their plan appears to be to survive this hurricane season and then dismantle FEMA.”
The centralized support FEMA provides—from logistics and transportation to shelter coordination and recovery funding—is critical in large-scale disasters. Without FEMA, some emergency managers fear that the most vulnerable communities could suffer the most.
Final Push Before the Phase-Out
Despite internal challenges, FEMA After 2025 is making last-minute preparations for hurricane season. Secretary Noem has reopened training centers and extended contracts for thousands of disaster-response staff. These efforts aim to ensure minimal disruption during what could be a historically severe storm season.
However, the agency’s reduced authority, leadership changes, and shifting priorities signal that its current structure may not last much longer.
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The Future of U.S. Disaster Response
Trump’s plan to eliminate FEMA After 2025 represents one of the most significant shifts in U.S. emergency management policy in decades. While the rationale is rooted in reducing federal spending and promoting state autonomy, critics argue that the risk to public safety may outweigh any perceived benefits.
The FEMA After 2025 phase-out plan is likely to remain a topic of fierce political debate. Whether states will be prepared to handle large-scale emergencies on their own—and whether the federal government can provide sufficient support when truly needed—remains to be seen.
As the 2025 hurricane season unfolds, all eyes will be on FEMA After 2025 performance and how states respond. The effectiveness of this transition could determine whether Trump’s bold plan to dissolve FEMA becomes a lasting legacy or a cautionary tale in disaster response history.