Trump FEMA administrator says abolishing agency not in America's 'best interest' [View all]

Source: USA Today

May 7, 2025, 5:06 p.m. ET


President Donald Trump has raised the prospect of abolishing the Federal Emergency Management Agency, but his acting FEMA administrator said that wouldn’t be his recommendation.Lawmakers raised concerns about FEMA's future during a pair of House committee hearings this week as they reviewed the president’s budget for the disaster relief agency.

The budget proposes a $644 million cut, drawing criticism from Democrats. But their larger concern is Trump’s comments suggesting he could eliminate the agency. Rep. Lauren Underwood, D-Illinois, said abolishing FEMA and pushing disaster recovery to the states is “dangerous and unrealistic.” “Eliminating FEMA would cause catastrophic and needless suffering to the American public,” Underwood said.

Rep. Rosa DeLauro, D-Connecticut, pressed acting FEMA administrator Cameron Hamilton about abolishing the agency. To her relief, Hamilton said he didn't support doing away with FEMA.

“I do not believe it is in the best interest of the American people to eliminate the Federal Emergency Management Agency,” Hamilton said. Hamilton’s comments were a notable break from the rhetoric of Trump and other administration officials.

Read more: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2025/05/07/trump-fema-administrator-opposes-abolishing-agency/83499813007/