Kristi Noem Calls for an Overhaul of FEMA: 'Get rid of FEMA the way it exists today'
The DHS secretary supported Trump's plan to close down the disaster response agency.
TroibNews 
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem expressed her endorsement of the proposal to eliminate FEMA as part of President Donald Trump’s extensive plan to restructure the federal government.
"I would say, yes, get rid of FEMA the way it exists today,” Noem stated during an appearance on CNN's “State of the Union” on Sunday. She emphasized the need for resources to assist individuals affected by disasters, such as Hurricane Helene and California fires, but underscored the importance of local officials making deployment decisions.
During a visit to western North Carolina on January 24, an area heavily impacted by Hurricane Helene last fall, Trump mentioned he would consider closing the Federal Emergency Management Agency. He argued that state governments should take on the responsibility for disaster management and subsequently signed an executive order to create a council for reviewing the agency.
Cameron Hamilton, the acting administrator of FEMA, has endorsed Republican claims accusing the agency of mismanaging disaster aid, including allegations of halting aid shipments to North Carolina following Hurricane Helene.
Although some congressional Republicans have signaled support for reforming FEMA, many have outright rejected Trump’s proposal to eliminate the agency entirely. Noem remarked that Trump intends to collaborate with Congress on the reform process.
Trump “been very clear that he still believes there's a role for the federal government to come in and help people get back up on their feet, but there's a lot of fraud and waste and abuse out there,” Noem noted.
Regarding Elon Musk's access to agency data, which includes personal information about disaster victims through the unofficial Department of Government Efficiency, Noem voiced her support for Musk’s initiatives.
“Elon Musk is part of the administration that is helping us identify where we can find savings and what we can do and he has gone through the processes to make sure that he has the authority the president has granted him,” she stated.
Recently, Musk has faced criticism for his aggressive strategies within the administration, including his efforts to dismantle the United States Agency for International Development.
James del Carmen contributed to this report for TROIB News
"I would say, yes, get rid of FEMA the way it exists today,” Noem stated during an appearance on CNN's “State of the Union” on Sunday. She emphasized the need for resources to assist individuals affected by disasters, such as Hurricane Helene and California fires, but underscored the importance of local officials making deployment decisions.
During a visit to western North Carolina on January 24, an area heavily impacted by Hurricane Helene last fall, Trump mentioned he would consider closing the Federal Emergency Management Agency. He argued that state governments should take on the responsibility for disaster management and subsequently signed an executive order to create a council for reviewing the agency.
Cameron Hamilton, the acting administrator of FEMA, has endorsed Republican claims accusing the agency of mismanaging disaster aid, including allegations of halting aid shipments to North Carolina following Hurricane Helene.
Although some congressional Republicans have signaled support for reforming FEMA, many have outright rejected Trump’s proposal to eliminate the agency entirely. Noem remarked that Trump intends to collaborate with Congress on the reform process.
Trump “been very clear that he still believes there's a role for the federal government to come in and help people get back up on their feet, but there's a lot of fraud and waste and abuse out there,” Noem noted.
Regarding Elon Musk's access to agency data, which includes personal information about disaster victims through the unofficial Department of Government Efficiency, Noem voiced her support for Musk’s initiatives.
“Elon Musk is part of the administration that is helping us identify where we can find savings and what we can do and he has gone through the processes to make sure that he has the authority the president has granted him,” she stated.
Recently, Musk has faced criticism for his aggressive strategies within the administration, including his efforts to dismantle the United States Agency for International Development.
James del Carmen contributed to this report for TROIB News
