Trump Aims to Shrink FEMA, Leaving States in a Bind

FEMA's Operational Changes - The Trump administration aimed to shift disaster recovery responsibilities back to the states, impacting FEMA's role [1] - Structural changes within the Department of Homeland Security, such as requiring Christy Gnome's approval for expenditures over $100,000, have slowed down the process of getting funds to states [7][8] - There has been a reduction of 2,000 employees since the start of the Trump administration, indicating a downscaling of FEMA [6] Disaster Response and Community Impact - A devastating tornado struck St Louis with winds exceeding 150 mph, causing widespread damage [2] - Local community groups in St Louis have taken the lead in recovery efforts, raising funds and clearing debris due to perceived insufficient federal assistance [4] - FEMA's individual assistance handouts are typically small, ranging from $7,800 to several thousand [5] - The mayor of St Louis is seeking more federal assistance, indicating that current efforts are insufficient [5] FEMA's Efficiency and Effectiveness - Claims that FEMA is 100% faster in responding to disasters are not supported by evidence, as seen in the slow response after the flooding in Texas and in St Louis [9] - There are concerns about the potential dismantling of FEMA and federal disaster recovery capabilities under the Trump administration [9]