FEMA Reform Meeting: What Went Wrong?
A significant event was supposed to happen. A council, set up by President Donald Trump, was ready to share big changes for FEMA. But then, something unexpected occurred. The meeting got canceled suddenly.
The Council's Work and Sudden Cancellation
This council had been working for months to improve FEMA. They were going to present their final report. But at the last minute, it all got postponed.
Kristi Noem, who was leading the council, left a meeting early. She said she had to attend the FEMA council meeting. But then, the FEMA council meeting didn't happen. No one knows why. The Department of Homeland Security didn't say much. They just pointed to the White House, which didn't respond.
Two hours after the meeting was supposed to start, people got a message. The meeting was postponed. No reason was given. They said a new date would be announced soon. But no one knows when that will be.
The Council's Creation and Purpose
This council was created by Trump in January. He had some big ideas about FEMA. He even thought about shutting it down. He wanted states to handle more disaster stuff. The council was supposed to present and vote on their report. The public could watch and give feedback until the end of the year.
Expert Reactions and Concerns
Experts and former officials were impressed. They said the council worked hard. They talked to experts and community members. They tried to make meaningful changes. But as they got closer to the end, things got tense.
There was a problem with the report. An early draft was over 160 pages. But Noem's office cut it down to about 20 pages. Some council members were worried. They thought important recommendations might be left out. Or worse, some not endorsed by the council could be added.
Key Figures and Future Steps
The council has some big names. Noem and Pete Hegseth are co-chairing it. The members are mostly from Republican-led states. If Trump likes the reforms, he can make some changes himself. But others would need Congress to approve them.