ICYMI: AP: Trump Is Taking Longer to Approve Disaster Aid and Denying Democratic States More Frequently

Washington, DC – As millions of Americans experience the impacts of extreme weather with wildfire smoke blanketing the Northern U.S., the Associated Press reported that Trump is taking longer to approve disaster aid and denying aid requests from Democratic states more frequently. Trump has approved more than three-fourths of the major disaster declaration requests from states that voted for him in the 2024 election but less than half the requests from states that did not. Trump has a long history of politicizing aid dating back to his first term. Just two weeks ago, Trump rejected disaster aid requests from four Democratic-led states, two days after approving aid for six Republican-led states. 

ICYMI: AP: Trump is taking longer to approve disaster aid and denying Democratic states more frequently

When major disasters strike, Americans are routinely waiting weeks — or even months — to receive presidential approval for aid. And if they live in a state that didn’t support President Donald Trump, chances are greater that aid will be denied.

Since taking office last year, Trump has approved about 65 requests for major disaster declarations and denied more than two dozen others from states, tribes or territories seeking federal financial assistance following hurricanes, tornadoes, storms, floods and fires.

Trump has taken longer on average to approve disaster requests than any other president, according to an Associated Press analysis of data dating back to 1989, when a federal law setting new parameters for disaster determinations was implemented. And no other president has such a disparity in denials between states that supported him politically and those that did not.

The delays and denials come as Trump’s administration contemplates a makeover of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, which administers disaster aid. Major disaster declarations are intended for events that are beyond the resources of state and local governments…

During his second term, Trump has denied a greater percentage of disaster requests than any president dating to 1989. Those denials have not been evenly distributed among states.

Trump has approved 80% of the disaster requests from Republican governors but only about 60% from Democratic governors, according to the AP’s analysis of FEMA data.

The discrepancy is even more apparent when analyzing major disaster declarations based on presidential elections. Trump has approved more than three-fourths of the requests from states that voted for him in the 2024 election but less than half the requests from states that did not. Although there are federal criteria for disaster aid, decisions ultimately are at the president’s discretion…