Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders and the state’s whole GOP congressional delegation are urging President Donald Trump to rethink after the Federal Emergency Administration denied the state’s request for federal catastrophe reduction following a sequence of lethal storms final month.
After extreme storms hit the state in mid-March, Sanders utilized for catastrophe reduction by means of FEMA, beneath what’s often called a significant catastrophe declaration. The request was denied.
“As Governor Sanders famous in her request, these storms brought about catastrophic injury throughout the state, leading to disastrous quantities of particles, widespread destruction to properties and companies, the deaths of three Arkansans, and accidents to many extra,” the state’s two Republican senators and 4 GOP Home members wrote in an April 21 letter to Trump. “Given the cumulative influence and sheer magnitude of destruction from these extreme climate occasions, federal help is important to make sure that state and native communities have the capabilities wanted to rebuild.”
Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders speaks throughout an interview on the governor’s mansion in Little Rock, Ark., on April 18, 2025.
Thomas Metthe/Arkansas Democrat-Gazette through AP
This is not the primary time FEMA has denied state requests lately. Earlier this month, Democratic Gov. Bob Ferguson, of Washington, stated FEMA had denied his state’s utility for federal catastrophe reduction stemming from a “bomb cyclone” that slammed the state final November.
“That is one other troubling instance of the federal authorities withholding funding,” Ferguson stated in an announcement. “Washington communities have been ready for months for the assets they should absolutely get well from final winter’s devastating storms, and this choice will trigger additional delay. We are going to attraction.”
FEMA additionally denied a request from North Carolina’s Democratic Gov. Josh Stein to increase 100% federal funding for particles elimination associated to final fall’s devastating Hurricane Helene past an preliminary 180-day timeline.
Nonetheless, the scenario in Arkansas marks the primary time that Republicans have publicly pushed again on a denial of FEMA reduction requests.
Sanders served because the White Home press secretary throughout Trump’s first time period.
ABC Information has requested remark from FEMA about why Arkansas’ request was denied.
Throughout a go to in January to components of North Carolina nonetheless left battered by Helene, Trump sharply criticized FEMA and instructed states may handle catastrophe reduction higher than the federal authorities.
“You need to use your state to repair it and never waste time calling FEMA,” he stated. “After which FEMA will get right here and they do not know the realm. They’ve by no means been to the realm, they usually need to offer you guidelines that you’ve got by no means heard about. They need to carry folks that are not nearly as good because the folks you have already got. And FEMA has turned out to be a catastrophe.”
In January, Trump issued an govt order making a overview council to look at the company and make suggestions for overhauling it.
ABC Information’ Jack Moore contributed to this report.
