Trump's Making Us
Less Prepared
For The Next Disaster
Trump has gutted FEMA and dismantled disaster response—threatening critical aid and leaving communities more vulnerable to extreme weather events.
Trump Is Gutting Disaster Response
As extreme weather events intensify, Trump is dismantling the systems designed to protect American families.
FEMA employees lost
FEMA lost more than 2,400 employees by June 2025—a 9.5% cut to the agency's workforce.
Days FEMA funding was frozen
Congressional Republicans kept DHS shut down for 76 days—the longest funding lapse in history—allowing FEMA's Disaster Relief Fund to hit critical lows.
States denied or delayed aid
In his first year back, Trump denied or delayed disaster aid for 18 states, leaving devastated communities waiting for help.
Proposed FEMA cuts
Trump's FY'27 budget proposal included cutting $1.3 billion in FEMA funds for state and local emergency preparedness.
How Trump Gutted Disaster Response
A systematic dismantling of the agencies and programs that keep Americans safe.
FEMA Under Attack
Trump signed an executive order creating a FEMA Review Council aimed at overhauling the agency. He repeatedly called to end FEMA and planned to strip its role in disaster recovery.
NOAA Budget Slashed
30% CutThe Trump Administration proposed slashing NOAA's budget by nearly 30%—more than $1.5 billion—threatening weather forecasting and hazard monitoring.
Critical Staff Fired
3,000+ JobsFEMA lost 2,400+ employees. NOAA lost 675. NWS lost nearly 600. The U.S. Forest Service fired 2,000 employees, including those supporting wildfire prevention.
Resilience Programs Canceled
$1 BillionTrump canceled the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) program and stopped approving FEMA's Hazard Mitigation Grant Program allocations.
Aid Politicized
3x HarderDemocratic-led states are 3 times less likely to get disaster aid approved. Trump approved just 23% of requests from Democratic states vs. 89% for Republican states.
$17 Billion Bottleneck
Kristi Noem's requirement for personal approval on all FEMA expenses over $100,000 created a $17 billion bottleneck, causing months-long delays in delivering disaster funds.
Real Consequences for Our Communities
Trump's mismanagement has caused aid delays across the country—from Michigan, Missouri, Texas, and New Mexico to Alabama, Arkansas, and North Carolina, where Hurricane Helene recovery continues.
Disaster Declarations Delayed
Pending FEMA disaster applications are sitting longer on average than at any other point in the previous 37 years.
Search-and-Rescue Teams Left Without Tools
During a deadly tornado outbreak, the Trump administration left teams without a real-time tornado-tracking tool after failing to renew a contract.
Firefighter Training Canceled
FEMA canceled most of its firefighter training programs to "ensure alignment" with Trump's priorities.
Weather Forecasting Restricted
NOAA restricted scientists, sparking concerns that weather forecasting quality and availability would be limited.
Flood Monitoring Gutted
Trump fired 240 people from the U.S. Geological Survey, which monitors flooding by operating a nationwide stream gauge system.
Aid Hotline Funding Lapsed
DHS took five days to restore federal aid hotline funding after it lapsed in the aftermath of the Texas floods.