FEMA Reform Report Significantly Cut, Raising Alarms About Disaster Preparedness

Thu Nov 20 2025 04:57:24 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

The anticipated report on reforms for FEMA has been drastically reduced, with concerns mounting that key recommendations for enhancing disaster readiness may be lost. Insights from involved officials reveal the diminished scope of the report amid broader government shifts.

A council appointed by President Trump issued a draft report on FEMA reforms, which originally spanned over 160 pages but has been cut down to approximately 20. This reduction has caused alarm among emergency management leaders, as vital recommendations for disaster preparedness may be excluded. Critics argue the changes reflect a push to offload disaster management responsibilities onto state and local governments, potentially leaving them ill-equipped to handle extreme weather scenarios exacerbated by climate change.

A draft of a much-anticipated report on reforms to the Federal Emergency Management Agency has been whittled down in size, with recommendations compiled by a council appointed by the president slashed and amended by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem’s office, according to three people familiar with the developments.

The report 'got nuked,' said one former FEMA official. The three people, who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity to discuss the issue with the media, said the report shrunk from over 160 pages to roughly 20. They said it left council members and other emergency management leaders concerned that some of the recommendations about the country’s disaster preparedness won’t make it into the final copy, which is expected around Dec. 12.

The draft report’s downsizing reflects the Trump administration’s push to disengage the federal government from disaster management and the agency overseeing it, FEMA, pushing more responsibility for preparing, responding to and recovering from climate on states, tribes and territories.

Those who oppose shrinking FEMA say most state and local governments can’t take on more of the enormous financial and logistical strains of rebuilding, especially as the frequency and severity of extreme weather wrought by climate change grows, and that FEMA plays a key coordinating role, shepherding help from across the federal government.

After submitting the draft in early November to DHS for comment and approval, council members learned Noem’s office cut the report to around 20 pages, the former officials said.

Members of the council co-chaired by Noem and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, include directors from Republican-led states and have been conducting public sessions aimed at gathering input for the reform process.

As the report nears completion, the focus shifts to how the proposed changes might impact federal disaster response and the future role of FEMA in managing the nation's disaster preparedness.