Markwayne Mullin Faces FEMA Restoration Challenges After Trump-Era Disruptions

FEMA’s Decline Under Trump-Era Leadership

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) faced near-collapse during the first year of the Trump administration. Disruptions included Elon Musk’s federal civil service purge and former Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem’s freeze on disaster recovery and response spending. These actions paralyzed FEMA’s core functions, delaying billions in aid for communities nationwide and disrupting responses to catastrophic events like the July 4 floods in Central Texas.

FEMA’s preparedness efforts for future disasters were also halted. The agency slow-walked or denied numerous aid requests, particularly from states with Democratic leadership. Leaked memos revealed plans by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS)—FEMA’s parent agency—to slash FEMA’s on-the-ground response staffing by nearly 50%.

Mullin’s Promises vs. Reality

President Trump’s recent firing of Noem, citing controversies over immigration enforcement, personal spending, and congressional misconduct, sparked hopes for FEMA’s recovery. Her replacement, former Oklahoma Senator Markwayne Mullin, has pledged to lift Noem’s spending freeze, calling it “micromanaging.” Mullin also committed to appointing a permanent FEMA administrator—a role Noem never filled—and has reportedly dismissed many of her top deputies, according to anonymous FEMA employees.

However, disaster response experts and FEMA officials remain skeptical about Mullin’s ability to restore the agency to pre-Noem functionality. Concerns persist over the agency’s readiness for the upcoming hurricane season, with low morale and lingering operational uncertainties. “It’s like we are collectively waiting for the other shoe to drop,” said a regional FEMA official who requested anonymity to avoid retaliation.

Limited Progress Amidst Ongoing Challenges

While Mullin has reversed some of Noem’s policies, FEMA’s operations remain largely unchanged, according to officials who spoke to Grist. Some disaster reconstruction payments to cities and states have been unfrozen, but many expenses still require approval from Karen Evans, Noem’s interim administrator. Evans will lead FEMA until Mullin’s Senate-confirmed replacement takes over.

FEMA’s disaster preparedness programs remain inactive. The agency has not issued new long-term infrastructure aid money from one major program in nearly a year. Another resilience program, initially slated for elimination, was only spared after a court order last month. Essential initiatives like the National Flood Insurance Program—which provides subsidized coverage to 5 million households—have been undermined. The program’s rating system, which offers discounts to proactive flood-protection cities, lost its managing contractor weeks ago, leaving its future uncertain.

“It’s like we are collectively waiting for the other shoe to drop.”