Fact Check: "President Donald Trump stated on June 10, 2023, that he intends to phase out the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) after hurricane season."
What We Know
On June 10, 2023, President Donald Trump made remarks during an Oval Office briefing indicating a plan to begin "phasing out" the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) after the 2025 hurricane season. He stated, "We want to wean off of FEMA, and we want to bring it down to the state level" (AP News). This statement aligns with Trump's ongoing criticism of FEMA, which he described as "fundamentally broken" (Gov1). The plan suggests a shift in disaster funding responsibilities from the federal government to state governors, which has raised concerns among experts regarding the capacity of states to manage disaster responses without federal support (Reuters, CNN).
Analysis
The claim that Trump intends to phase out FEMA is accurate in the context of his statements made on June 10, 2023. However, the assertion that he plans to do so "after hurricane season" is misleading. Trump's comments specifically refer to a timeline extending beyond the current hurricane season, indicating that the phase-out would not occur immediately but rather after the 2025 season (USA Today).
Moreover, Trump's remarks have been met with skepticism from emergency management officials, who argue that states lack the necessary resources to handle large-scale disasters independently (AP News, Gov1). The dismantling of FEMA would require congressional action, particularly amendments to the Stafford Act, which governs federal disaster response (AP News). This indicates that while Trump may express intentions to phase out FEMA, the actual implementation of such a plan is complex and contingent upon legislative processes.
The sources used in this analysis are credible, including major news outlets like the Associated Press, CNN, and Reuters, which have a track record of accurate reporting. However, it is important to note that the interpretation of Trump's statements can vary, and the implications of his proposed changes are still being debated among experts (CNN, NBC News).
Conclusion
Verdict: False
While President Trump did express intentions to phase out FEMA, the claim that he stated this would occur "after hurricane season" is misleading. His comments specifically referred to a timeline extending to after the 2025 hurricane season, not the immediate future. Furthermore, the actual dismantling of FEMA would require significant legislative action, making the claim more complex than it appears at first glance.
Sources
- Trump's plan to phase out FEMA could leave states struggling, experts ...
- Trump says FEMA to be phased out after 2025 hurricane season
- Coronavirus Timeline
- Trump says FEMA to be wound down after hurricane season
- Head of FEMA Command Center Quits After Trump Says ...
- Trump says he plans to phase out FEMA after 2025 ...
- Trump FEMA phase out 2025: Is Trump ending FEMA in US? See FEMA flood maps
- Trump says FEMA to be wound down after hurricane season