DEAR EDITOR:

The Federal Emergency Management Agency organizes and funds support for communities hit by natural disasters. That’s become even more important with climate change. True to Project 2025, Trump is threatening to destroy the agency, and he’s used disaster relief as a political weapon.

Trump says states should cover the costs of emergency management within their borders with an unspecified amount of reimbursement from Washington.

He’s signed an executive order directing states and localities to do more, and his Secretary of Homeland Security told a cabinet meeting they’d eliminate FEMA completely This would require an act of Congress.

Besides, with disasters causing billions and dollars in damage, states and localities can’t afford to do the job without help.

That’s why FEMA was created!

There’ve been a number of cases of Trump taking advantage of disasters to punish blue areas and enforce his agenda. He threatened to withhold wildfire aid for Los Angeles, and his Department of Housing and Urban Development said they’d block $225 million in disaster recovery funds for Asheville for including efforts to support marginalized communities.

Please tell your members of Congress to ensure effective disaster relief for all, we need FEMA.

URSULA HAYS

Strongville