Trump Suggests Ending Federal Disaster Relief, Leaving States to Fend for Themselves
In a recent interview, former US President Donald Trump suggested a major shift in disaster relief policy. He proposed that the federal government should stop providing aid and instead let individual states manage emergencies on their own. This statement comes at a critical time as Los Angeles battles wildfires and the eastern US recovers from two hurricanes.
Trump criticized FEMA's performance, claiming the agency hasn't been effective during the past four years. He contrasted this with his own time in office, citing successful responses to hurricanes in Florida and tornadoes in Alabama. He argued that FEMA's effectiveness depends on leadership and hinted at significant changes to the agency in the near future.
The former president's remarks coincide with a new wildfire north of Los Angeles, forcing evacuations and increasing anxiety in a region already affected by recent fires. Trump and Republicans in Congress have suggested tying aid for California to the actions of the state's Democratic leaders, a condition they didn't impose when storms caused widespread damage and fatalities in the southeast.
Trump's communication style, marked by impromptu press conferences and interviews, sets him apart from his predecessors, especially Joe Biden. While Trump was lauded during his campaign for embracing new media like podcasts and YouTube, his latest primetime interview was a traditional sit-down with a prominent news anchor known for supporting him.
Trump, who has appointed numerous former news network employees to his administration, discussed his executive orders and his plans for his first 100 days. This marks the third consecutive day he's directly addressed the press. Despite the increased media accessibility, it's uncertain whether the public is as engaged. Television viewership for his second inauguration was reportedly lower than previous years.
In the interview, Trump also defended his pardons of individuals involved in the 2021 Capitol riot. He addressed security concerns about the app TikTok and discussed potentially withholding federal funds from "sanctuary cities" that protect undocumented immigrants from federal detention requests.