‘Abolishing FEMA’ Memo Outlines Ways for Trump to Scrap Agency
In a newly revealed March memo, officials proposed ways to dramatically curtail the US government’s disaster response role, such as by ending aid for smaller disasters and cutting housing funds for survivors.
From left, President Donald Trump, Secretary of Interior Doug Burgum, Office of Management and Budget Director Russell Vought and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem at the White House, on June 10.
Photographer: Ken Cedeno/UPI/Bloomberg
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Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem directed the Federal Emergency Management Agency to prepare a memo on how to abolish itself and create a re-branded, radically smaller disaster response organization, according to a copy of the document reviewed by Bloomberg News.
As recently as last week, President Donald Trump and Noem said they wanted to wind down FEMA but offered few details publicly. The March 25 memo offers insight into how the administration has weighed which of its current functions to cut. Technically, only Congress can eliminate the agency.