Speaking to reporters, the president predicted future disasters would need “probably less FEMA, because FEMA just hasn’t done the job. And we’re looking at the whole concept of FEMA.”

FLETCHER, N.C. (AP) — President Donald Trump said he was considering “getting rid of FEMA” as he visited hurricane-battered North Carolina on Friday during the first trip of his second term.

President Donald Trump is scheduled to visit Western North Carolina on Friday to visit locals impacted by Hurricane Helene in late September.

North Carolina residents described harrowing escapes from rising floodwaters from Hurricane Helene as Trump surveyed the disaster and recovery.

President Donald Trump said that his administration will step in and assist North Carolina as it recovers from Hurricane Helene months after the storm.

President Donald Trump proposed eliminating the Federal Emergency Management Agency during a Friday visit to Helene-ravaged Western North Carolina.

President Donald Trump is visiting hurricane-battered western North Carolina and wildfire-ravaged Los Angeles on Friday, using the first trip of his second administration to tour areas where politics has clouded the response to deadly disasters.

President Donald Trump floated “getting rid” of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) on Friday as he visited western North Carolina to survey the damage and recovery efforts from Hurricane Helene.

President Donald Trump listened to some of those most impacted by Hurricane Helene during a visit to Swannanoa, North Carolina on Friday, Jan. 24, 2025.

In North Carolina Friday, President Donald Trump said he would sign an executive order aimed at what he said would address problems inherent to FEMA.