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President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Tuesday moving many responsibilities regarding disaster relief preparations from the Federal Emergency Management Administration to state and local governments.
The order calls for a review of current policies to improve responses to future disasters across the U.S.
“Preparedness is most effectively owned and managed at the state, local, and even individual levels, supported by a competent, accessible, and efficient federal government,” the order said. “When states are empowered to make smart infrastructure choices, taxpayers benefit.”
The order mandates a revision of critical infrastructure policy to align with assessed risks rather than an “all-hazards approach,” according to a White House fact sheet.
It establishes a “National Risk Register” to identify, assess, and measure risks to U.S. national infrastructure while streamlining federal operations to enhance collaboration between states and Washington.
The order directs key Trump administration officials, including National Security Adviser Mike Waltz and National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett, along with federal agencies, to develop a National Resilience Strategy within 90 days. A separate strategy focused on national critical infrastructure is required within 180 days.
Additionally, within 240 days, the national security adviser must review national disaster preparedness and response policies and propose necessary revisions, rescissions, or replacements to update federal responsibilities.
FEMA previously faced criticism last year after it was discovered that agency funds were depleted in response to Hurricane Helene following spending on illegal immigrant programs.
“FEMA has run out of money for the rest of hurricane season because Kamala Harris used the funds for free giveaways to illegal immigrants,” then-Trump Campaign National Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt wrote in October.
“This is inexcusable and yet another example of Kamala Harris putting Americans LAST!” she added.
The statement noted a Wednesday headline from the Associated Press that read “Mayorkas warns FEMA doesn’t have enough funding to last through hurricane season.”
The Trump campaign statement also cited a report from The New York Post in July that revealed the FEMA program increase for migrants from $360 million to $650 million.
Atlanta received $10.89 million from FEMA in 2024 for migrant services, an increase from $4.85 million in 2023. A total of 14 states and Washington, D.C., received FEMA funds for migrant services in 2023.
At least 12 million migrants have crossed the southern border under the Biden-Harris administration. The official number does not include gotaways, with some estimates of 20 million or more migrants entering the U.S. under the current administration.
