Noem restricts disaster aid over shutdown targeting ICE
Trump Administration Halts Long-Term Disaster Aid Amid Government Shutdown
The Trump administration announced on Sunday its decision to halt disaster aid for long-term rebuilding projects across states, prioritizing emergency operations as the partial government shutdown enters its second week. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem declared that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) would “scale back to bare-minimum, life-saving operations only,” effectively pausing all non-emergency recovery work.
Funding Freeze Adds Uncertainty
The halt on disaster aid for previous calamities introduces a new layer of uncertainty for states grappling with the federal government’s shifting disaster response policies. This announcement follows President Donald Trump’s pledge to minimize aid for extreme weather events, which has created tension within FEMA, especially as it is housed alongside Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) under the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
Political Tensions Affect FEMA
The funding suspension is not entirely unprecedented, marking the 11th instance since 2003 that FEMA has paused long-term recovery project funding due to budget constraints. However, this latest restriction is notable because FEMA had $7.1 billion in its disaster fund as of late January. Typically, spending restrictions occur when the fund dips to about $3 billion. A senior congressional aide, speaking anonymously, revealed that the fund’s balance was $9.6 billion as recently as last week, indicating the unusual nature of this restriction.
DHS Blames Democrats
Secretary Noem stated that the DHS “must take emergency measures to preserve limited funds and personnel,” attributing the funding halt to the ongoing government shutdown, which she blamed on Democratic opposition to a DHS spending bill. Noem also suspended two DHS airport programs designed to expedite traveler processing, citing the necessity to “refocus Department personnel on the majority of travelers.”
Democratic Criticism
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) contradicted Noem’s announcement, confirming that its PreCheck program remains operational, prompting Democratic criticism of the administration’s actions. Rep. Bennie Thompson, the top Democrat on the House Homeland Security Committee, accused the administration of politicizing security programs, remarking, “These nitwits are at it again.”
Impact on Disaster Recovery
Despite the funding restrictions, operations at 44 active disaster sites remain unaffected for the time being, with nearly 2,800 disaster specialists actively working and an additional 4,400 available. However, Gregg Phillips, FEMA’s associate administrator for the Office of Response and Recovery, cautioned that the funding restrictions could delay thousands of long-term rebuilding projects. FEMA typically covers at least 75% of eligible project costs, and delays in payments often cause states to halt work.
Conclusion
The administration’s decision to halt long-term disaster aid amid a partial government shutdown underscores the ongoing political strife affecting federal disaster response efforts. As the stalemate continues, the repercussions of delayed funding and halted projects may exacerbate the challenges facing states recovering from past disasters. The debate over the balance of funds also opens a broader conversation about prioritizing immediate disaster responses over long-term recovery plans.
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Source: https://www.politico.com/news/2026/02/22/noem-restricts-disaster-aid-ice-budget-shutdown-00792447