On Friday, President Donald Trump announced he would condition federal wildfire recovery funds for California on the state overhauling its election laws and reversing key environmental policies. The devastating wildfires have caused widespread destruction across the Los Angeles area in recent weeks.
Trump also criticized the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), accusing it of mishandling recovery efforts following Hurricane Helene in North Carolina.
He suggested the White House and the Republican National Committee (RNC) might directly oversee the distribution of congressional relief funds in the future.
During a visit to Asheville, North Carolina, to survey hurricane damage before heading to California to assess the wildfire devastation, Trump expressed frustration with FEMA.
Speaking to reporters after stepping off Air Force One, he remarked, “FEMA has really let us down,” and suggested to make a big “reform” or even “get rid” of FEMA.
Accompanied by First Lady Melania Trump, Trump reiterated his plan to bypass FEMA in future relief efforts. “We’re going to take over and do a good job,” he said, praising RNC Chair Michael Whatley and promising swift action. “Maybe the state chips in 25 percent or so, but we’ll make sure the people of North Carolina are taken care of.”
Trump further suggested that North Carolina Governor Josh Stein and several Republican representatives would work directly with the White House, criticizing FEMA’s traditional disaster response model. He claimed the agency’s approach of deploying personnel to disaster zones “never worked for me.”
Later, when asked about the possibility of withholding wildfire relief funding from Los Angeles due to the city’s immigration policies, Trump outlined two conditions for federal assistance to California.
“I want to see two things: voter ID to ensure fair elections and better water management to address the state’s needs. After that, I’ll be the greatest president California has ever seen,” he declared.
BREAKING: President Trump lays out two conditions for federal aid to California:
1) Voter ID
2) Let the water flow“Voter ID for the people of California, [and] the water to be released. And they’ll get a lot of help from the U.S.” pic.twitter.com/lWFDMujOLW
— Charlie Kirk (@charliekirk11) January 24, 2025
Trump has long criticized California’s election policies and repeatedly claimed, that voter fraud contributed to his electoral losses in the state.
During a briefing with local officials, he doubled down on his demand for voter ID laws in California, describing the current system as “very corrupt.”
The president’s stance on disaster aid aligns with his approach during his first term, when he frequently threatened to withhold federal relief from states led by Democratic governors unless they showed him deference.
In some instances, he delayed signing disaster declarations requested by Democratic officials.
Trump also hinted at plans to issue an executive order aimed at reforming FEMA or potentially dismantling it altogether. He criticized the agency’s integration into the Department of Homeland Security, stating, “We need to look at whether FEMA should even exist.”
However, experts note that FEMA’s existence and functions are established by federal law. Created in 1979 by executive order under President Jimmy Carter, FEMA became a statutory agency in 1988 under the Stafford Act.