Fact Check: Trump and Noem Plan to Phase Out FEMA After the 2025 Hurricane Season
What We Know
Recently, President Donald Trump announced plans to phase out the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) after the 2025 hurricane season. During a briefing on June 10, 2025, Trump stated, “We want to wean off of FEMA, and we want to bring it down to the state level,” emphasizing that governors should be responsible for disaster management (source-1). This announcement aligns with ongoing criticisms from both Trump and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, who described FEMA as “fundamentally broken” and indicated a desire to shift disaster responsibilities to the states (source-2).
The administration's plan includes reducing federal disaster recovery aid and potentially reallocating funding directly from the president’s office or the Department of Homeland Security (source-4). Critics argue that dismantling FEMA could leave states ill-equipped to handle large-scale disasters, as many lack the necessary resources and infrastructure to respond effectively without federal support (source-2).
Analysis
The claim that Trump and Noem plan to phase out FEMA is substantiated by multiple sources. Trump's statements during the June 10 briefing clearly outline his intentions to reduce the federal government's role in disaster management, suggesting a significant policy shift toward state-level responsibility (source-1). Furthermore, Noem's remarks reinforce this agenda, indicating a coordinated effort to restructure disaster response mechanisms (source-4).
However, the reliability of the sources must be considered. The information comes from reputable news outlets such as CNN and the Associated Press, which are known for their journalistic standards. The potential bias in these reports could stem from their framing of the issue, particularly in how they present the implications of phasing out FEMA. Critics quoted in these articles, including former FEMA officials, express concerns about the feasibility of state-level disaster management, which could reflect a bias toward maintaining federal support (source-2).
Despite these concerns, the consistency of Trump's statements across multiple platforms and the formal establishment of a FEMA Review Council led by Noem and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth further validate the claim. The council is expected to propose significant changes to FEMA's operations, indicating a serious commitment to the proposed phase-out (source-1).
Conclusion
The claim that Trump and Noem plan to phase out FEMA after the 2025 hurricane season is True. The evidence presented from credible news sources confirms that the administration is actively pursuing a strategy to shift disaster management responsibilities from the federal level to the states. This plan has been articulated clearly by both Trump and Noem, and it is supported by ongoing discussions within the administration about restructuring FEMA.
