The catastrophic flood in Texas, claiming nearly 120 lives, marked the first major crisis encountered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) under the current Trump administration. Despite the tragic loss of life, both former and current FEMA officials have expressed to NBC News that the effects on smaller geographic regions don’t adequately challenge the capabilities of the agency, especially as staffing has been reduced significantly.
They argue that the true tests may arise later this summer, when the threat of hurricanes looms over several states.
As discussions about the agency’s future unfold—with President Donald Trump hinting at the possibility of “dismantling it”—Homeland Security Secretary Christy Noem, who oversees FEMA, has tightened her control.
Current and former officials have mentioned that Noem now mandates that all agents personally authorize expenditures exceeding $100,000. To expedite the approval process, FEMA established a task force on Monday aimed at streamlining Noem’s approval, according to sources familiar with the initiative.
While Noem has taken a more direct approach to managing the agency, many FEMA leadership positions remain unfilled due to voluntary departures. In May, the agency disclosed in an internal email that 16 senior officials had left, collectively bringing over 200 years of disaster response experience with them.
“DHS and its components are fully engaged in addressing recovery efforts in Carville,” a spokesperson from DHS remarked in a statement to NBC News.
“Under Chief Noem and Deputy Manager David Richardson, FEMA has transformed from an unwieldy DC-centric organization into a streamlined disaster response force that empowers local entities to assist their residents. Outdated processes have been replaced due to their failure to serve Americans effectively in real emergencies… Secretary Noem ensures accountability to U.S. taxpayers, a concern often overlooked by Washington for decades.”
On Wednesday afternoon, the FEMA Review Council convened for its second meeting, set up to outline the agency’s future direction. “Our goal is to pivot FEMA’s responsibilities to the state level,” Trump told the press in early June.
At this moment, FEMA continues to manage over 700 active disaster situations, as stated by Chris Currie, who monitors governmental accountability.
“They’re operating no differently. They’re merely doing more with fewer personnel,” he noted in an interview.
While some advocates push for a more proactive role for the agency, certain Republicans in Congress emphasize the need to preserve FEMA in response to the significant flooding.
“FEMA plays a crucial role,” said Senator Ted Cruz of Texas during a Capitol Hill briefing this week. “There’s a consensus on enhancing FEMA’s efficiency and responsiveness to disasters. These reforms can be advantageous, but the agency’s core functions remain vital, regardless of any structural adjustments.”
Bureaucratic Hurdles
A key discussion point in the first FEMA Review Council meeting was how the federal government can alleviate financial constraints. However, current and former FEMA officials argue that Noem’s insistence on personal approvals for expenditures introduces bureaucratic layers that could hinder timely assistance during the Texas crisis and potential future hurricanes.
Current officials voiced that the new requirements contradict the aim of reducing expenses. “They’re adding bureaucracy…and increasing costs,” one official commented.
A former senior FEMA official remarked that agents need to procure supplies and services within disaster zones, routinely requiring their authorization for contracts over $100,000 to facilitate these actions.
“FEMA rarely makes expenditures below that threshold,” disclosed an unnamed former employee currently involved in the industry to NBC News.
In addition to the stipulation that Noem must approve certain expenditures, current and former staff members revealed confusion regarding who holds authority—Noem or Richardson, who has been acting as administrator since early May. One former official noted a cultural shift within the agency from proactive measures to a more cautious stance, as employees fear job loss.
DHS spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin referred to questions regarding who is in charge as “absurd.”
Further changes are underway. Last week, agents officially ceased their practice of sending personnel into disaster areas to engage with victims about available services. This decision followed complaints regarding interactions that had been criticized last fall. Acting managers previously labeled this conduct by FEMA staff as “unacceptable.” Distancing from the scrutiny, the dismissed personnel claimed to have acted under their supervisor’s instructions to avoid “unpleasant encounters.”
Although many individuals access FEMA services through various channels like the agency’s website and hotline, two former officials emphasized that in-person outreach remains essential for connecting disaster victims with available resources. It remains uncertain if the agency plans to send personnel into Texas for door-to-door outreach.
This week, Democratic senators expressed frustration that Noem has yet to present the 2025 hurricane plans she mentioned in May, after they were promised to be shared.
New Jersey Senator Andy Kim, leading Democrat on the Disaster Management Subcommittee, plans to send another letter to Noem on Wednesday to solicit these plans.
“The delay in FEMA’s 2025 hurricane season plan report at the start of hurricane season highlights the ongoing slowness of DHS in providing essential information to this committee,” Kim asserted in his letter.
FEMA’s Future
Critical questions remain regarding FEMA’s role in disaster recovery: What responsibilities will it retain, and which will be delegated to states to manage independently?
Experts consulting with NBC News concur that while federal agencies should maintain responsibility for large-scale disasters, the question persists as to whether states could be empowered to handle smaller ones rather than deferring to federal assistance.
“Disaster prevention is paramount,” remarked Jeff Schlegermilch, director of Columbia University’s National Center for Disaster Response.
Natalie Simpson, a disaster response expert at the University of Buffalo, added that larger states could assume greater risk during disasters.
“I believe we could establish a local FEMA due to economies of scale in larger states like California, New York, and Florida, but I doubt their efficacy in smaller states,” she stated during an interview.
Current and former FEMA officials, including Texas Governor Greg Abbott, have criticized FEMA as “inefficient and slow,” asserting the need for a more responsive approach. They highlighted that the governor called for a FEMA disaster declaration within days of the flood.
On Sunday, the president sidestepped inquiries about potential agency restructuring, stating:
White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt commented that ongoing discussions are taking place regarding the agency’s broader objectives. “The President aims to ensure that American citizens have the resources they need, whether that assistance is provided at the state or federal level; it’s a matter of continuous policy discourse,” Leavitt remarked.
Source: www.nbcnews.com
