Trump Taking Longer Than Any Modern President to Approve Disaster Aid: Report

When disaster strikes, Americans expect swift action from their government. However, under President Donald Trump, federal disaster aid has become increasingly politicized. An Associated Press analysis reveals a disturbing trend: the longer it takes for Trump to approve disaster declarations, the more partisan the politics seem to be.

According to FEMA data dating back to 1989, Trump is taking an average of six weeks to approve disaster requests. This is significantly longer than his first term, when he averaged about three weeks. By comparison, previous administrations under Presidents Barack Obama, George W. Bush, Bill Clinton, and George H.W. Bush all averaged less than two weeks.

The partisan divide in disaster relief is starkly evident in the numbers. Trump has approved about 80% of requests from Republican governors but only around 60% from Democratic ones. This trend is particularly concerning given the map for the 2024 election, which suggests that the president is prioritizing states he won in 2016 over those he lost.

The findings come at a critical time as the Trump administration weighs major changes to FEMA that would shift more disaster costs to states and reduce the federal government’s role in responding to major disasters. Critics argue that this move would further politicize disaster relief, leaving communities vulnerable to partisan politics.

Recent events have only added fuel to this fire. After a February snowstorm, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, and Rhode Island were rejected for aid requests. “Part of a pattern of extreme partisanship,” said Rhode Island’s Democratic congressional delegation in response to the decision. This is not just about party affiliation; it’s about who gets help when they need it most.

The White House has dismissed any suggestions that politics play a role in disaster decisions, citing more thorough reviews to ensure taxpayer money is spent appropriately. However, the data tells a different story – one of partisan priorities taking precedence over people’s needs.

As the nation waits for the next major disaster, it’s essential to examine what this means for our country’s disaster relief system. With climate change driving more frequent and intense natural disasters, the federal government must be prepared to respond quickly and equitably. Anything less is a failure of governance – and a betrayal of trust in times of crisis.

The Trump administration would do well to remember that disaster relief is not about scoring partisan points; it’s about people’s lives. It’s time to shift gears and prioritize what really matters: the needs of those affected by disasters, not partisan priorities.