Trump signs executive order to overhaul FEMA

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He has signed an executive order with the goal of revamping the Federal Emergency Management Agency, marking another effort to reform how the agency responds to catastrophes affecting the country.

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• Trump could substantially influence state and federal disaster response by withholding federal disaster declarations and halting certain types of aid to states, at least for a short time. He's threatened to do so in wildfire-stricken California.
• He still hasn't officially appointed a head to lead FEMA.

Affected by historic fires in Southern California, Friday during his second Presidential visit in the second term.

• The order requires the creation of a task force, called the Federal Emergency Management Agency Review Council, to assess FEMA and make recommendations for changes in a report to President Trump.
• The group will consist of the secretaries of homeland security and defense, as well as private-sector subject matter experts, according to the directive.

The task force could recommend abolishing the agency.

• Only Congress can repeal the FEMA act.

According to Andrew Freedman of , many experts in disaster management feel that some changes are needed to FEMA's operations.

• However, governors are likely to resist efforts to put the entire weight of disaster response on their shoulders, considering their relatively limited resources.

President Trump said states should take charge of responding to emergencies instead of relying solely on the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).