FEMA Reform Report Shrinks Amid Political Pushback

Thu Nov 20 2025 04:35:46 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

A controversial new draft report on reforms to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has been significantly reduced, raising concerns among emergency management leaders about the future of the agency's role in disaster response.

The draft report, initially exceeding 160 pages, has been cut down to about 20. This drastic reduction has left many worried that critical recommendations related to disaster preparedness and FEMA's role in federal assistance will be omitted from the final version, expected by mid-December. The changes reflect a shift in political strategy under the Trump administration, opting for more authority and responsibility to be placed on state and local governments in dealing with disasters.

A draft of a highly anticipated report on reforms to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has been drastically reduced, with many recommendations made by a council appointed by the president discarded and altered by the office of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, according to insider sources.

Dubbed as having been nuked by a former FEMA official, the documents have seen their length shrink from over 160 pages to about 20, invoking concern from council members and emergency management leaders alike about the final report, which is slated for release around December 12.

This reduction aligns with the Trump administration's ongoing trend of diminishing the federal government's footprint in disaster management, shifting more responsibilities onto states, tribes, and territories for disaster readiness and recovery.

Opponents argue that scaling back FEMA's involvement threatens the ability of many state and local governments to effectively manage the financial and logistical strains associated with disaster recovery, especially in an era where extreme weather events are more frequent and severe due to climate change. They argue that FEMA is crucial for coordinating to ensure support flows smoothly from federal resources.

Noem has called a last-minute meeting of the FEMA Review Council to address these cuts, though details on the council's recent activities remain unclear. A meeting participant suggested that while federal funds would still reach states, there may be a shift toward faster aid through direct grants.

Initial drafts had included substantial recommendations like reworking public assistance programs and adjusting federal cost-sharing for disaster declarations. These recommendations were instrumental in aiming to reform the Stafford Act, which governs FEMA's operations.

However, current reports indicate that key recommendations have been excluded in the latest drafts, raising alarm bells among those advocating for a robust federal role in disaster response. Some insiders express that this could leave states underprepared as climate-related disasters continue to escalate.