The FEMA, under the Trump administration, has faced heavy criticism for refusing important disaster relief and hazard prevention grants to multiple states, including Kentucky and Maryland. At the same time, the administration is pushing a policy that forces state governments to take on more of the financial and logistical work of disaster recovery.
This move has led to legal fights from many states and has caused worries about whether the country is ready to handle worsening natural disasters. In recent rulings, FEMA turned down requests from three Kentucky counties for federal help after severe storms last spring. The agency said the state did not qualify for hazard prevention grants meant to prepare for future disasters. Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear shared his frustration.
As reported by The Guardian, Beshear said he was “disappointed in the decision.” He pointed out that while some counties got help for historic floods and tornadoes, the areas that were denied were told they did not have enough damage, saying, “We are actively comparing damage assessments,” Beshear said, “and we plan to appeal.”
FEMA’s policy is now focused on thoughts and prayers instead of action
Maryland also had its request for disaster aid rejected after near-record flooding in May. The flooding caused close to $16 million in damages and wrecked hundreds of homes and businesses. Maryland Governor Wes Moore said of the denial, “It is an insult to Marylanders and the communities still suffering in the aftermath of this storm,” and a political decision, even though the state met the specific requirements for federal aid.
These rejections match the Trump administration’s stated plan to wean off FEMA and move disaster response responsibilities back to state governments. President Trump has talked about plans to give out less money to states for recovery efforts and has called for breaking up the agency, which is currently part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. The administration has already started cutting funding in important areas.
The administration’s position has caused major pushback. A group of 20 states has already filed lawsuits to stop FEMA from ending its multibillion-dollar Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) program. This paid for infrastructure upgrades to make communities stronger. Many of these states have also sued over rules that force states to cooperate with immigration enforcement to get emergency preparedness funding.
Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Campbell said, “This administration is abandoning states and local communities that rely on federal funding to protect their residents and, in the event of disaster, save lives.” At this point, where even Texas can’t get FEMA funding when it needs it, it may be time to expect the program to end.
Published: Jul 31, 2025 02:53 pm