FEMA.gov
U.S. federal government agency (official, executive branch)
Background
FEMA was created in 1979 by President Jimmy Carter's Executive Order 12127. It combined several programs, including the National Flood Insurance Program, the Federal Disaster Assistance Administration and the Defense Civil Preparedness Agency. On March 1, 2003, it became part of the new Department of Homeland Security after the Homeland Security Act of 2002. Its site publishes disaster declarations, aid information, preparedness guidance and press releases. Because the site is run by the agency, it reflects whatever administration is in office and does not offer independent reporting or criticism. Under Trump's second term, FEMA has been at the center of debate over shrinking its role and shifting more disaster responsibility to states. A Trump-appointed FEMA Review Council issued a final report on May 7, 2026, with 10 recommendations to move more response and recovery duties to states and localities. Those changes could reduce the number of federally supported disasters and the amount of aid. DHS materials describe a 'reformed FEMA' that cuts red tape and delivers faster funding, while critics, including some press outlets, argue that cuts and the dismantling push weaken disaster response. Leadership has changed during this period: Markwayne Mullin replaced Kristi Noem as DHS secretary in late March 2026, and the agency reinstated whistleblowers who had warned about dismantling it. Trump has also nominated Cameron Hamilton, whom he removed as acting administrator in May 2025, to lead FEMA.
Sources
- FEMA About Us
- DHS: President Trump's Reformed FEMA Cuts Red Tape
- NPR: A Trump council recommends overhauling FEMA
- CNN: FEMA reinstates whistleblowers as Trump administration reverses Noem's policies
- Bipartisan Policy Center: FEMA Reform
- EMS1: FEMA history
Profile compiled 2026-10-10; refreshed when ownership, funding, or the administration changes.