What You Need to Know
• President Donald Trump has approved approximately 65 disaster declarations and denied over 24 requests since taking office.
• Trump has taken longer to approve disaster requests than any president since 1989, according to an analysis.
• Trump approved 80% of disaster requests from Republican governors but only about 60% from Democratic governors.
President Donald Trump, during his presidency, has approved about 65 requests for major disaster declarations while denying more than 24 others from states, tribes, or territories seeking federal assistance for various disasters. An Associated Press analysis indicates that Trump has taken longer on average to approve disaster requests than any other president since 1989, the year federal law established new parameters for disaster determinations. The analysis also reveals a significant disparity in approvals based on political affiliation, with Trump approving 80% of requests from Republican governors compared to around 60% from Democratic governors. Recently, Trump denied federal aid requests from four Democratic states—Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, and Rhode Island—related to a February snowstorm, prompting criticism from Democratic lawmakers who argue that disaster aid should be based on merit rather than political affiliation.
Why It Matters
The approval and denial of disaster aid requests by President Donald Trump highlight a growing concern regarding partisanship in federal disaster relief efforts. The Federal Emergency Management Agency, which administers disaster aid, is under scrutiny as Trump’s administration considers reforms. Historical data shows that disaster aid decisions have often been influenced by political affiliations, raising questions about the equitable distribution of federal assistance. This situation underscores the challenges faced by states, particularly those that did not support Trump in elections, in receiving timely aid during major disasters.
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