Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem has expressed agreement with President Donald J. Trump and Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) chief Elon Musk regarding potential radical reforms to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Asked by CNN if President Trump “can and should” close it down, she replied, “He can, and I believe that he will do that evaluation with his team.”
“He’s been very clear that he still believes there’s a role for the federal government to come in and help people get back up on their feet, but there’s a lot of fraud and waste and abuse out there,” Noem said of Trump’s priorities, noting that he has already presided over “incredible change” in streamlining government spending.
According to Noem, Trump intends to work with Congress to ensure federal support reaches those in need post-disasters.
On a recent visit to hurricane-affected areas in Asheville, North Carolina, Noem recounted overseeing 12 disasters involving FEMA during her tenure as Governor of South Dakota. She advocated for state and local leadership in disaster response, suggesting local authorities could make more informed decisions than federal entities.
FEMA, under the former Biden-Harris regime, spent a billion dollars on illegal immigrants, leaving the agency demanding more money during hurricane season last year. Noem agrees with Musk that FEMA has misdirected federal funds at times.
During Hurricane Helene, FEMA was also accused of refusing to help in North Carolina because employees allegedly felt threatened by locals having Trump signs on their properties. The agency is also accused of blocking and seizing aid.