Trump’s FEMA order creates a task force to propose changes to the agency

The president hinted at today’s order during a roundtable briefing in Asheville, North Carolina, before touring an area devastated by Hurricane Helene last year.

Trump said he would soon sign a directive to begin “fundamentally reforming and overhauling FEMA — or perhaps getting rid of” the agency altogether.

“FEMA is a very expensive organization that is not working very well,” Trump said after meeting with families affected by Hurricane Helene. “If it was up to me right now, I’d end it right now.”

In particular, Trump’s executive order on FEMA does not seek to eliminate the agency; Congress would have to act to do so. The order instead underscores Trump’s interest in turning to outside advisers and private-sector companies to fill some typical government functions as he seeks to quickly achieve his second-term goals.

It also reflects his administration’s clear skepticism about FEMA as currently structured, signaling that Trump may pursue more concrete changes once the task force’s review is complete. The details shared with Semafor include concerns about mismanagement of resources, FEMA’s work on immigration and other issues that have been raised about the agency in recent years.

Private members of the task force, whose total membership reaches 20, are expected to include experienced practitioners in budget management and preparedness.