In a revelation that has sent shockwaves through political circles, former President Donald Trump is alleged to have pushed for the complete defunding of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The extraordinary claim comes from a new book by Fox News host Pete Hegseth, which details a private conversation between Trump and South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem.
The incident reportedly took place as Trump was laying the groundwork for his 2024 presidential campaign. According to Hegseth's account, Trump told Governor Noem, a staunch ally, that he wanted to "get rid of" FEMA, arguing the agency should not be a federal responsibility.
A Radical Proposal for Disaster Response
Trump's alleged solution was to push disaster response responsibilities away from the federal government and down to the individual states. His reasoning, as presented in the book, was a belief that states should be solely in charge of their own emergency preparedness and recovery efforts, a move that would represent a seismic shift in American disaster management policy.
The proposal would effectively dismantle the nation's primary mechanism for coordinating large-scale disaster response, from hurricanes and wildfires to terrorist attacks. FEMA's annual budget runs into billions of dollars, providing vital support to states when local resources are overwhelmed.
Noem's Reported Response and the Fallout
Governor Noem, who was reportedly being vetted as a potential vice-presidential running mate at the time, is said to have pushed back against the idea. She correctly pointed out that defunding FEMA would require approval from Congress, a significant legislative hurdle.
This revelation is likely to become a focal point of criticism against Trump, particularly from opponents who will argue it demonstrates a willingness to jeopardise national security and leave Americans vulnerable in times of crisis. The timing is also sensitive, as the frequency and intensity of climate-related disasters continue to rise across the United States.
Neither Trump's campaign team nor Governor Noem's office have publicly commented on the specific allegations detailed in Hegseth's book, leaving the political world to dissect the potential implications for the upcoming election.
