DHS secretary calls for US states to lead disaster response instead of Fema
The Guardian • • nation
Key Points:
- Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin called for a fundamental shift in FEMA's role, advocating for states and local governments to lead disaster response while FEMA supports existing first responders.
- Mullin's comments came during a visit to Asheville, North Carolina, highlighting federal recovery efforts after Hurricane Helene and marking his first major public appearance since Senate confirmation.
- Mullin moved to clear FEMA's backlog of home buyout requests and rescinded a restrictive contract approval rule, aiming to improve the agency's disaster response efficiency.
- Critics have questioned Mullin's disaster management expertise and his previous climate change skepticism, despite scientific consensus linking climate change to increased hurricane severity.
- Mullin emphasized that FEMA should be restructured rather than eliminated, countering prior proposals to shift disaster recovery responsibilities entirely to states.
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