Full Breakdown
Trump Administration Approves Major Disaster Declarations Amid Ongoing DHS Shutdown
4/12/2026, 3:17:29 AM
Recent Disaster Declarations
The Trump administration has approved major disaster declarations for seven states—Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, South Carolina, South Dakota, and Washington—allowing these regions to access federal support for recovery from extreme weather events. This decision, announced by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), comes as the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) faces an ongoing shutdown, which has lasted eight weeks. Despite the shutdown, FEMA's Disaster Relief Fund remains operational, although its resources are dwindling.
Context of the Disaster Declarations
The recent approvals are part of a broader effort by DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin, who aims to expedite disaster response and recovery processes. Mullin has indicated his intention to brief President Donald Trump on pending disaster requests, emphasizing the urgency of addressing past disasters as the Atlantic hurricane season approaches. The declarations enable federal funding for infrastructure repairs and survivor assistance, although they do not include hazard mitigation funding, which has not been approved for over a year.
Criticism and Opposition
While some states have received disaster declarations, others have faced delays or denials. For instance, Arizona has been waiting nearly three months for a response to its appeal for assistance following severe storms. Maryland Governor Wes Moore expressed frustration over Trump's denial of disaster support despite a FEMA assessment indicating over $33 million in damages from flooding. Critics argue that the approval process has become increasingly prolonged, with an average wait time exceeding a month, compared to less than two weeks in the past.
Official Statements and Responses
White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson stated that Trump approaches disaster requests with "great care and consideration," ensuring that federal funds supplement state efforts rather than replace them. Governor Bob Ferguson of Washington welcomed the disaster declaration, highlighting the significant infrastructure damage and the need for federal support. Similarly, Hawaii Governor Josh Green noted that the disaster declaration following the Kona low storms would provide crucial resources for recovery efforts, estimating damages to exceed $1 billion.
Conflicting Reports and Gaps
There remains uncertainty regarding the status of disaster requests from other states and tribes that have not been publicly announced. The lack of hazard mitigation funding in recent approvals has raised concerns among state officials about the long-term resilience of affected communities. Additionally, the timeline for the FEMA Review Council's recommendations on disaster support remains unclear, contributing to the uncertainty surrounding FEMA's future operations.
What's Next
As the Atlantic hurricane season approaches, the Trump administration's handling of disaster declarations will be closely monitored. The ongoing DHS shutdown poses challenges for FEMA's operations, and the agency's ability to respond effectively to future disasters may depend on the resolution of funding issues and the approval of additional disaster requests.
