Trump Approves Disaster Aid for Select States, Denies Others Amid Political Divide

President Donald Trump approved major disaster declarations for Alaska, Nebraska, North Dakota, and the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe, while denying requests from Vermont, Illinois, and Maryland, with approvals largely reflecting partisan divides. He highlighted his electoral successes in states like Alaska and Missouri when announcing the decisions. These declarations enable FEMA to provide federal assistance for infrastructure repairs and aid to disaster survivors, including temporary housing and home repairs. Despite approving more declarations than denying this year, Trump has proposed phasing out FEMA to shift more disaster response responsibility to states, which critics argue still rely heavily on federal aid when overwhelmed. Trump has also taken longer than any previous administration to approve disaster declarations. Notably, Alaska received expedited approval with a 100% federal cost share for damages from recent storms that displaced 2,000 residents and caused at least one death, while North Dakota, Nebraska, and the Leech Lake Band received assistance for severe weather damage and storm impacts on tribal lands, respectively.