Over the weekend, instead of working with state and local authorities to ensure public safety, Donald Trump chose to ignore them and endanger both law enforcement and community members in California. Meanwhile, states like North Carolina, Missouri, West Virginia, and Texas who have pleaded for Trump’s assistance have had major delays or received nothing. States struck by natural disasters are waiting weeks for aid from the Trump administration, while Trump instead uses federal resources to place communities and local law enforcement at even greater risk.

All of this is happening while Trump sends the National Guard and a battalion of Marines to Los Angeles when local officials have been clear that National Guard deployment wasn’t helpful or necessary.

One thing remains clear: Trump continues to play politics while turning his back on Americans in need. 

In response, DNC Chair Ken Martin released the following statement:

“Rather than actually protecting communities, Trump is only interested in sowing chaos. Over the weekend in California, Trump provoked chaos and used local communities and law enforcement as his political pawns. Meanwhile, from North Carolina to Missouri to West Virginia to Texas, communities have pleaded with Trump for federal emergency assistance for actual disasters and received little to no relief. The contrast is clear: Trump doesn’t care about the safety of working families, he only cares about his own political theatrics and won’t hesitate to use Americans as collateral.” 

Because of the Trump administration’s inaction, urgent support to communities ravaged by natural disasters has been delayed. With more natural disasters on the horizon, experts warn families will only continue to be left behind. 

Scientific American: “Disaster-Struck States Waiting for Weeks for Trump’s Sign-Off on FEMA Aid”

“Public officials have started pleading with the Trump administration for help in recovering from deadly disasters as President Donald Trump triggers frustration in states struck by tornadoes, floods and storms by taking no action on requests for aid.”

Rolling Stone: “GOP Senator Begs for Disaster Aid as FEMA Snubs Another Red State”

“Several conservative states have been forced to wait for disaster relief, with lawmakers publicly groveling for federal assistance”

Ana Cabrera, MSNBC: “The mayor of St. Louis tells me FEMA has yet to arrive and her community is desperate for help.”

New York Times: “Musk Targeted FEMA. Storm-Battered Communities Are Paying a Price.”

“[DHS Secretary Kristi] Noem’s office has directed staff to develop a plan to disband the agency …

“It is not clear what government agencies, if any, would take over FEMA’s role delivering aid to communities hit by disasters.” 

CNN: “‘We’re not preparing’: As Trump officials vow to eliminate FEMA, the agency is already in turmoil” 

“Last week, FEMA employees received an email titled ‘Hiring Update,’ which outlined a new process, effective immediately, requiring that the majority of the agency’s workers, many of whom hold 2-to-4-year term positions, be directly approved by Secretary Noem’s team in order to be renewed for another term. …

“Instead of preparing for hurricane season, one official told CNN, they’ve spent days checking workers’ renewal dates and working on justifications for their roles. … 

“More than $100 billion of previously awarded grant money and disaster assistance is currently frozen at FEMA. …

“Nearly all FEMA payments outside of individual disaster assistance have been paused, preventing states, localities and nonprofits from being reimbursed. That includes entities like fire departments that are frequently awarded federal grants to pay for equipment and staffing as well as disaster recovery money to help in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene and the wildfires in California.”  

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