A council appointed by President Donald Trump has recommended sweeping changes to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (Fema), which experts say could leave the US ill-equipped to handle increasing extreme weather events driven by the climate crisis. The 12-member Fema Review Council released its final report this week, advocating for a reduced federal role in disaster response.
The report, co-headed by Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, calls for shifting responsibility to state and local governments. 'It is time to close the chapter on Fema,' the council wrote, emphasising that disaster response should be 'locally executed, state or tribally managed, and federally supported.'
Among the 150 recommendations, the council proposes higher thresholds for disaster declarations that unlock federal support, leaving evacuation and emergency shelter to local authorities, and capping payouts to homeowners and renters. A new funding model would replace Fema's public assistance programme with lump-sum payments based on projected damages, issued within 30 days.
Critics argue the plan fails to address the growing challenges of climate-fueled disasters. 'The Fema review council completely missed the moment we are in right now,' said Shana Udvardy of the Union of Concerned Scientists. Dr Andrew Rumbach of the Urban Institute noted that many local governments lack dedicated emergency management departments and rely heavily on Fema's expertise.
The council also recommends reducing federal environmental and historical reviews, audits, and inspections, and suggests the private market take a primary role in the National Flood Insurance Program. The report follows Trump's earlier criticism of Fema as too expensive and ineffective.
