Trump vows ‘big discussion’ on FEMA ahead of disaster tour

By Thomas Frank | 01/24/2025 06:17 AM EST

FEMA “gets in the way,” Trump says, hinting at a reduced role for the agency. “I’d rather see states take care of their own problems.”

President Donald Trump answers questions from reporters Thursday as he signs executive orders in the Oval Office of the White House.

President Donald Trump told Fox News’ Sean Hannity that he didn’t know whether he would meet with Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom during his planned visit to Southern California. “I haven’t even thought about it,” Trump said. Ben Curtis/AP Photo

President Donald Trump plans to visit disaster-ravaged areas in North Carolina and California on Friday after hinting at a potential overhaul in disaster aid that could reduce the federal role in rebuilding.

As he prepared for the first presidential trip of his second term, Trump dispensed tidbits about a potential revamp of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, which he scorned during an interview Wednesday with Fox News host Sean Hannity in the Oval Office.

“FEMA is getting in the way of everything,” Trump said.

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“FEMA is going to be a whole big discussion very shortly,” Trump told Hannity at another point, “because I’d rather see the states take care of their own problems.”

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