Trump Eyes FEMA Phaseout Amid Texas Flood Crisis

As devastating floods impact Texas, President Trump's administration is under scrutiny for its plans to phase out the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and transfer disaster response responsibilities to individual states. Trump has described FEMA as 'unnecessary' and 'very expensive,' reinforcing his intention to reduce or eliminate its federal role even as natural disasters continue nationwide. Critics warn that this approach could repeat past failures, referencing the inadequate federal response to the Great Mississippi Flood of 1927, and argue that states may be ill-equipped for large-scale emergencies. Staff cuts and leadership changes within FEMA have further strained the agency, with key officials resigning after opposing the phase-out plan and Trump appointees lacking disaster relief experience. The move has ignited debate over the balance of federal and state responsibility, with calls for Congress to oversee disaster spending and ensure that aid is not politicized. The situation underscores the potential risks to communities facing severe weather events if federal disaster management is diminished.