Trump appoints 13 members to FEMA Review Council

President Donald Trump has established a bipartisan Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Review Council via a January executive order, appointing 13 members including emergency management experts and political leaders from both parties. The council, co-chaired by Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, is tasked with overhauling and streamlining the nation's emergency management and disaster response systems. Notable appointees include Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin, Tampa Mayor Jane Castor, and seasoned emergency managers such as Mark Cooper and Bob Fenton. The council's mission is to assess FEMA's current effectiveness, address concerns about political bias and mission drift, and recommend reforms to better serve the national interest. Trump cited dissatisfaction with FEMA’s past disaster responses and allegations of political bias as reasons for creating the council. The group is expected to produce a report within a year evaluating FEMA’s performance and proposing changes.