FEMA Review Council Proposes Sweeping Decentralization of Federal Disaster Response Operations

Story Summary
The FEMA Review Council, established by President Donald Trump, has finalized recommendations to overhaul the nation’s disaster response framework, shifting significant authority and spending decisions to state, local, and tribal governments. The proposal includes a reassessment of agency staffing, a restructuring of the National Flood Insurance Program, and stricter criteria for federal disaster aid eligibility. While the plan avoids more extreme measures like agency dissolution or mass staff cuts, it marks a pivotal shift in federal emergency management strategy. Implementation of at least half of these recommendations requires Congressional approval. This development follows a period of significant internal turnover at FEMA, which has seen over 5,000 staff departures and multiple leadership changes since early 2025.





