President Donald Trump is taking longer to approve disaster aid and denying Democratic states more frequently. Since taking office, Trump has approved about 65 requests for major disaster declarations and denied more than two dozen others from states, tribes, or territories seeking federal financial assistance following hurricanes, tornadoes, storms, floods, and fires.

Disaster Aid Delays

Trump has taken longer on average to approve disaster requests than any other president, according to an Associated Press analysis of data dating back to 1989. The delays and denials come as Trump’s administration contemplates a makeover of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, which administers disaster aid.

Trump has approved 80% of the disaster requests from Republican governors but only about 60% from Democratic governors. The discrepancy is even more apparent when analyzing major disaster declarations based on presidential elections. Trump has approved more than three-fourths of the requests from states that voted for him in the 2024 election but less than half the requests from states that did not.

FEMA Nominee Pledges Faster Decisions

FEMA has had four different temporary leaders since Trump took office in January 2025. One of those, Cameron Hamilton, is awaiting Senate confirmation as the agency’s permanent director. During a Senate committee hearing last month, Hamilton said he would try to speed up disaster declaration decisions and reimbursements.

Original reporting: Texarkana Gazette — read the source article.