Kristi Noem claims FEMA needs to be remade

On July 13, 2025, in a notable shift, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem addressed earlier plans to dismantle the Federal Emergency Management Agency during an appearance on NBC's 'Meet the Press.' She clarified that President Donald Trump wishes instead to 'remake' FEMA, suggesting a need for the agency to evolve beyond its traditional role. Noem indicated that the federal government possesses various resources that can be utilized in emergency situations, highlighting the contributions of agencies like the U.S. Coast Guard in recent responses to humanitarian crises, particularly in the wake of serious flooding in Texas. Noem's comments come after months of speculation regarding the Trump administration's intentions regarding FEMA. Reports from March indicated that Noem had proposed significant cuts to the agency’s long-term recovery and grant-making capabilities. Under Trump's executive order issued the same month, state and local governments were tasked with the primary responsibility for disaster preparedness. This order also set in motion an evaluation council to assess FEMA’s effectiveness and direction. Concerns arose when House Democrats reached out to Noem, expressing alarm over potential plans to eliminate FEMA entirely. In early April, House Democrats urged Noem to clarify these reports, labeling any push to disband FEMA as unlawful. They noted that during her Senate confirmation, she had promised to enhance FEMA's functions yet now seemed to undermine its existence. Shortly afterward, an internal memo from the White House Office of Management and Budget unveiled plans to redefine FEMA’s mission, narrow its responsibilities to coordination and risk analysis, and reduce grant programs, as well as further consolidate operational offices. In May, Cameron Hamilton, the acting head of FEMA, was abruptly dismissed after he publicly voiced that the removal of FEMA would not benefit the American populace. Following his exit, David Richardson, a Marine veteran, was appointed to lead the restructured agency. Richardson indicated a readiness to push forward with plans known as 'FEMA 2.0', which aimed to legally assess all agency programs not mandated by law, and signal a significant transformation in how FEMA executed its mission. These developments sparked broader concerns regarding the Trump administration’s approach to disaster management and response, especially amid increasing scrutiny over federal responses to ongoing challenges from natural disasters such as catastrophic flooding in Texas. In addition to the debates surrounding FEMA, the Trump administration faced challenges related to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), with tensions arising between governmental officials and career meteorologists about NOAA's focus shifting towards commercial interests rather than public service. Although Noem’s recent comments hinted at a less aggressive intention towards FEMA's complete dissolution, as of the latest developments, the agency’s long-term purpose remains ambiguous, leaving many to question its efficacy in guiding responses to imminent disasters.