Federal Support for Disaster Relief in Question Amid Trump Cuts to FEMA

Strategic Insights -

As hurricane and wildfire season intensifies across the country, state and local emergency managers are facing uncertainty over the level of support they can expect from the federal government in the event of a disaster. President Donald Trump has imposed significant cuts on the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), denied disaster recovery funds to some states, and failed to issue critical grants that many emergency management agencies rely on to fund their operations.

According to Wyoming's Office of Homeland Security Director Lynn Budd, the state relies on the federal government for 92% of its disaster funding. With the current grants set to expire at the end of September, Budd expressed concern about the potential impact on state capabilities. "If we don't get this funding, what are we going to do?" she asked. "You're taking our capability away."

FEMA has lost about a quarter of its full-time staff under Trump's administration, and the agency has cut hundreds of contractors at call centers, resulting in thousands of missed calls following the Texas floods. Emergency managers are also alarmed by Trump's cuts to the National Weather Service, which has left many forecasting offices understaffed. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has lost nearly 2,000 employees, including 600 who worked for the weather service.

While Trump's administration has repeatedly called on states to take on more responsibility for disaster response, experts say it would be inefficient for all 50 states to stockpile resources, staff, and recovery funding. Having a national agency like FEMA that can deploy where it's needed is far less wasteful.

Key Takeaways:

  • State and local emergency managers are uncertain about the level of federal support they can expect in the event of a disaster, with President Trump's cuts to FEMA having a significant impact on their capabilities.
  • Wyoming's Office of Homeland Security Director Lynn Budd expressed concern about losing 92% of their disaster funding, which relies heavily on federal grants.
  • FEMA has lost about a quarter of its full-time staff, and the agency has cut hundreds of contractors at call centers, resulting in thousands of missed calls following the Texas floods.
  • The National Weather Service has been left understaffed due to Trump's cuts, which could have significant consequences for emergency management efforts.
  • Experts argue that it would be inefficient for all 50 states to stockpile resources, staff, and recovery funding, and that a national agency like FEMA is better equipped to handle disaster response.

Statistics:

  • Wyoming's Office of Homeland Security relies on the federal government for 92% of its disaster funding.
  • FEMA has lost about a quarter of its full-time staff under Trump's administration.
  • The agency has cut hundreds of contractors at call centers, resulting in thousands of missed calls following the Texas floods.
  • The National Weather Service has lost nearly 2,000 employees, including 600 who worked for the weather service.
  • Since February, Trump has denied six of the 10 major-disaster requests he has received from Democratic governors.
  • He has approved 14 of 15 requests he has received from Republican governors during that same period.

Sources:

  • (Danielle Prokop / Source NM) Silt and debris from the July 8 floods in Ruidoso is piled seven feet high in some areas surrounding the Rio Ruidoso.
  • (Danielle Prokop / Source NM) With hurricane and wildfire season well underway across much of the country, state and local emergency managers say they have little idea how much support the federal government will provide if disaster strikes.
  • (source-new-mexico) "Feds partially approve funds for Ruidoso flooding disaster" -- Source New Mexico
  • (https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2025/07/11/trump-fema-texas-floods/) (https://stateline.org/2025/04/25/trump-denies-disaster-aid-tells-states-to-do-more/embed/#?secret=lZbQz2FBd2#?secret=m9Bblz9ArP) "Trump denies disaster aid, tells states to do more" -- Stateline
  • (https://stateline.org/2025/02/06/trump-wants-states-to-handle-disasters-without-fema-they-say-they-cant/embed/#?secret=grwArKYbif#?secret=Jnzbn8THOT) "Trump wants states to handle disasters without FEMA. They say they can't." -- Stateline