News summary produced by Claude AI
Since taking office, President Trump has approved approximately 65 major disaster declaration requests while denying more than two dozen others from states, tribes and territories, according to an Associated Press analysis of federal data. The approval timeline has extended substantially compared to previous administrations, with Trump taking an average of approximately six weeks to approve major disaster declarations following gubernatorial requests. By contrast, Trump’s first-term average was roughly three weeks, matching President Joe Biden’s pace, while his predecessors averaged less than two weeks.
The data reveals a notable disparity in approval rates based on state political alignment. Trump has approved roughly 80 percent of disaster requests from Republican governors compared to approximately 60 percent from Democratic governors. When analyzing requests by 2024 election results, Trump approved more than three-fourths of requests from states that voted for him while approving less than half from states that did not. An earlier batch of denials in the month included four Democratic states—Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York and Rhode Island—seeking federal aid for a February snowstorm. Democratic officials characterized the pattern as politicized, while the White House contended that no politicization occurs in the president’s disaster relief decisions.
The extended timelines create practical consequences for disaster-affected populations and local officials. Individuals, insurers and local governments bear greater financial responsibility when requests are denied. When approvals do occur, the delay means residents wait longer for federal assistance for living expenses, temporary housing and home repairs. Lengthy declaration processes also create uncertainty for local officials regarding infrastructure recovery spending, as they cannot confirm whether federal reimbursement will be available.
Administrative changes are underway that may reshape the disaster aid system. FEMA has had four different temporary leaders since January 2025, with Cameron Hamilton currently awaiting Senate confirmation as permanent director. A council appointed by Trump has recommended modifications including revised qualification criteria and a reduction in the federal government’s cost-share from a minimum of 75 percent to 50 percent, contingent on congressional approval. Hamilton has pledged to accelerate disaster declaration decisions while ensuring objectivity in the process.