In a major shift in federal disaster management policy, President Donald Trump announced Tuesday that he plans to begin phasing out the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) following the 2025 hurricane season. The move would significantly alter how disaster relief is administered in the United States and reduce the federal role in supporting states during natural disasters.

Speaking at a White House briefing, Trump said, “We’re going to do it much differently,” referring to the distribution of disaster aid. “We’re going to give out less money. We’re going to give it out directly. It’ll be from the president’s office. We’ll have somebody here, could be Homeland Security.”

Trump stated that FEMA’s role would begin winding down after the current hurricane season, which runs from June 1 through November 30. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has forecasted an above-average season, with up to 10 hurricanes expected.

FEMA, which operates under the Department of Homeland Security, has historically been the lead federal agency for coordinating response and recovery efforts in the wake of natural disasters. With an annual budget of approximately $30 billion and a workforce of over 20,000 employees and reservists, the agency has played a central role in disaster declarations, emergency planning, and long-term recovery efforts across the country.

The president’s remarks represent one of the clearest statements to date regarding his desire to reduce or eliminate FEMA’s scope. Instead of channeling aid through FEMA, Trump suggested that disaster relief funds would be administered directly by the executive branch, possibly through the Department of Homeland Security.

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, who appeared alongside Trump at the briefing, echoed the president’s sentiments, stating, “FEMA fundamentally needs to go away as it exists.” She emphasized a new approach focused on interstate coordination and self-sufficiency.

“We’re building communication and mutual aid agreements among states so that they can stand on their own two feet, with the federal government coming in in catastrophic circumstances with funding,” Noem said.

The proposal marks a significant decentralization of disaster response policy, placing greater responsibility on state governments to manage emergencies and pool resources. Critics of the plan may raise concerns about states’ capacity to handle major disasters without FEMA’s logistical infrastructure and experience, especially in the context of climate change and increasingly frequent extreme weather events.

Supporters, however, may view the move as an opportunity to streamline federal spending and encourage greater local autonomy in disaster response.

DailyClout will continue monitoring developments regarding FEMA and the federal government’s evolving disaster management policies.