Trump Administration Grants Disaster Declarations Amid Funding Challenges

Sat Apr 11 2026 20:52:42 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

The Trump administration has approved disaster declarations for seven states as it faces funding challenges due to an ongoing DHS shutdown. This decision allows affected areas to access vital federal support.

This week, the Trump administration approved major disaster declarations for Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, South Carolina, South Dakota, and Washington. These declarations will help communities recover from recent extreme weather events, although the ongoing DHS shutdown poses a risk to the funding available for disaster relief. Secretary of Homeland Security Markwayne Mullin intends to expedite disaster responses as concerns grow about the implications of dwindling funds. White House officials emphasize the need for efficient use of taxpayer dollars and encourage state and local governments to invest in resilience efforts.

This week, the Trump administration approved major disaster declarations for at least seven states, according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). These declarations will allow the affected communities to tap into vital federal support for recovery needs including repairs to public infrastructure and aid for survivors.

The states granted major disaster declarations are Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, South Carolina, South Dakota, and Washington. The announcement comes under Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin, who is striving to stabilize FEMA after a period of leadership turmoil.

Despite the approvals, FEMA's ability to assist is under threat due to an ongoing shutdown at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which has lasted for eight weeks. While disaster recovery can continue unhindered because of the Disaster Relief Fund's existing resources, those resources are depleting as funding issues linger. The DHS appropriations bill is critical to replenishing the fund, which requires over $26 billion.

Secretary Mullin assured during a recent briefing that he intends to address the backlog of pending disaster declarations and expedite responses as the Atlantic hurricane season approaches.

White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson stated that the administration's approach to disaster declarations involves careful consideration to ensure taxpayer funds are utilized properly. The goal is to have states invest in their resilience to make disaster recovery more efficient.

The situation remains fluid as some states await confirmation of their disaster requests. For example, Hawaii has announced it received a disaster declaration for severe flooding earlier in March. In contrast, states like Arizona have been left waiting for responses that could help in their recovery from disasters that have already occurred.

Previous delays in disaster approvals have also led to frustration among state leaders, especially in states where significant damages have been reported. The prioritization of state responsibilitites underscores a shift the Trump administration seeks in disaster recovery management.