President Donald Trump has made a surprising announcement that could completely change how disaster relief works in the U.S. He’s planning to shut down the Federal Emergency Management Agency — better known as FEMA — after this year’s hurricane season. Instead of the federal government stepping in after hurricanes, floods, or wildfires, Trump says state governors should take full control of disaster recovery efforts.

In his words, "If a certain state gets hit by a hurricane… the governor should be able to handle it, and frankly, if they can’t handle it, then maybe they shouldn’t be governor." Basically, he believes that disaster management should be handled completely at the state level, with much less involvement from Washington.

Why This Plan Is Worrying Emergency Officials

This plan has left many federal and state emergency managers deeply concerned. The simple reason? Most states just don’t have the budget, resources, or enough trained people to handle major disasters completely on their own. When something big like a hurricane hits, states often rely heavily on FEMA’s funding, equipment, and manpower to help with rescue operations, shelter, medical aid, and rebuilding efforts.

In fact, FEMA exists because many disasters are simply too big for any single state to handle. Without federal support, emergency response times could be slower, fewer people might get the help they need, and recovery could take much longer — or not happen properly at all.

FEMA Has Already Helped Thousands This Year

To get an idea of how much FEMA does — just look at this year. So far in 2025, FEMA has already distributed nearly $295 million to help people recover from disasters across the country. And we haven’t even gotten to the worst part of the year yet.

The National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration has warned that this year’s hurricane season could be one of the most dangerous and intense in recent history. So, many experts feel this isn’t exactly the best time to start taking federal support away.

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Trump’s Long-Running Criticism of FEMA

This isn’t the first time Trump has gone after FEMA. Over the years, he’s repeatedly criticized the agency and even spread some false claims about its performance — like when he said FEMA mishandled disaster relief efforts in North Carolina after Hurricane Helene. His latest decision seems to fit into his broader goal of shrinking the federal government and pushing more responsibility onto the states.

States May Not Be Able To Keep Up Without Federal Help

Emergency management experts are warning that if FEMA gets phased out, millions of Americans could be left vulnerable when disaster strikes. Many states simply don’t have enough money or staff to handle large-scale emergencies on their own.

For example, when a major hurricane hits, FEMA often brings in not just money, but also search-and-rescue teams, emergency food supplies, temporary housing, medical teams, and rebuilding funds. Without this support, states might be overwhelmed very quickly, leaving disaster victims waiting longer for help — or not getting help at all.

What Happens Next?

Right now, Trump’s plan is still just a proposal. But if it moves forward, it could completely change how disaster recovery works in the U.S. Many emergency officials are hoping Congress steps in to stop the plan, arguing that FEMA plays a critical role that states simply can’t replace.

With experts predicting a very dangerous hurricane season ahead, many are calling this move risky and potentially life-threatening for millions of Americans who depend on fast, organized federal help when disaster strikes.