Don’t Buy Trump’s Shutdown Spin: Trump Gutted the Agencies Responsible for Keeping Us Safe From Extreme Weather

September 30, 2025

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Washington, D.C. – With less than 24 hours left to avert a government shutdown, Trump and Republicans are talking about anything other than health care cuts and cost hikes by pretending to care about disaster relief. But let’s be clear: Trump doesn’t suddenly care about keeping Americans safe from extreme weather. In fact, his administration has gutted disaster response at every turn, leaving us less safe and completely unprepared for the next climate disaster. Meanwhile, he’s appointed officials who are completely unqualified and even stand to benefit financially from privatizing weather alerts.

Now, Trump and Republicans are barreling towards a government shutdown, which will push underfunded and understaffed agencies to the breaking point, putting lives in danger and threatening communities.

TRUMP HAS GUTTED FORECASTING AND DISASTER RESPONSE:

USA Today: Trump cuts leave National Weather Service scrambling to cover vital shifts

TIME: Trump Scales Back Emergency Funds as Hurricane Season Starts

Axios: Trump’s FEMA risks “flying blind” into hurricane season

Guardian: ‘Chaos’: Trump cuts to Noaa disrupt staffing and weather forecasts

Associated Press: Trump administration ends key grant program that helps communities prepare for disasters

Washington Post: National Weather Service at ‘breaking point’ as storm approaches

USA Today: Dramatic budget cuts at NOAA could put weather forecasts in peril, lives in danger

Washington Post: As Texas flooded, key staff say FEMA’s leader could not be reached

Wall Street Journal: FEMA Is Paralyzed. Disaster-Torn Communities Are Paying the Price.

CNN: The forecast is in: Hurricane season is going to be active again. America’s weather and disaster agencies are in turmoil

PBS News: How NOAA funding cuts could make it harder to predict and prepare for severe weather