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Mullin Advocates Local Leadership in Disaster Response

4/10/2026

Summary

Story summary

Markwayne Mullin, the U.S. homeland security secretary, visited Asheville, North Carolina, to say local governments should lead disaster response and FEMA should support, not replace, local responders.
The remarks followed scrutiny of FEMA’s recovery efforts after Hurricane Helene in 2024, with critics questioning Mullin’s qualifications and climate-change past.
Mullin pledged to clear backlogs on home buyouts and to ensure FEMA is restructured, not eliminated, amid ongoing recovery.

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Story summary

Markwayne Mullin, the U.S. homeland security secretary, visited Asheville, North Carolina, to say local governments should lead disaster response and FEMA should support, not replace, local responders.
The remarks followed scrutiny of FEMA’s recovery efforts after Hurricane Helene in 2024, with critics questioning Mullin’s qualifications and climate-change past.
Mullin pledged to clear backlogs on home buyouts and to ensure FEMA is restructured, not eliminated, amid ongoing recovery.