Overview

• President Trump approved Gov. Greg Abbott’s major disaster declaration for Texas within a day, unlocking FEMA funding and assistance.
• Only 86 FEMA personnel have been deployed so far, far fewer than the several hundred typically assigned to such large-scale disaster responses.
• Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem described the effort as state-led with federal support, emphasizing streamlined operations similar to the president’s block-grant proposals.
• A 12-member review council appointed by the president is meeting to recommend FEMA reforms, but no decision has been made on phasing out the agency.
• Former FEMA officials warn that eliminating the agency would leave states without essential coordination and funding for future disasters.