FEMA was absorbed by DHS in 2003, prompting criticism that its highly bureaucratic nature rendered the agency ineffective in addressing natural disasters.

Trump orders a review with the goal of an "immediate, effective, and impartial response," but critics say heʻs politicizing disaster aid.

President Donald Trump on Sunday issued an executive order establishing a review council for the Federal Emergency Management Agency, just days after he floated shuttering the agency whose resources are strained following multiple weather-related disasters and which is burdened by past failures in handling massive storms.

They registered for FEMA assistance, but got a letter of non-approval. After a 90-minute call to the agency’s helpline and a long day at a FEMA recovery center, they learned they needed more insurance documents. But their insurance agent’s office also burned down. Now they have the documents, but can’t figure out how to upload them to FEMA.

Trump visited areas impacted by flooding in North Carolina and fires in California. He suggested abolishing FEMA and putting conditions on fire aid.

The agency was created in the late 1970s and is tasked with helping states and communities impacted by disasters nationwide.

House Speaker Mike Johnson is backing a variety of play calls President Trump made in his first week in office, including a decision to fire government watchdogs across most Cabinet-level departments.

President Donald Trump says he wants to reshape the Federal Emergency Management Agency as the U.S. faces the formidable task of rebuilding after Hurricane Helene storm damage in the southeast and dev

In North Carolina, FEMA seemed completely incapable of dealing with the unique and dangerous mountainous terrain that many local officials know like the back of their hand.

In the first official trip of his second term, Trump also threatened to withhold disaster aid to California unless the state enacts a voter ID law.

The president said the Federal Emergency Management Agency has been too bureaucratic and slow in its response to disasters.