In May, a small town in Alleghany and Garrett counties, Maryland, experienced devastating flooding. Roads collapsed, homes were inundated, and schoolchildren needed to be safely transported. Last November, a bomb cyclone wreaked havoc in Washington state, leaving destruction in its wake.
In both instances, former President Trump declined requests for disaster relief. In July, he turned down a $16 million aid request for Maryland—an amount that represented only a tiny fraction of the tax cuts he had recently approved for the wealthiest Americans. He also denied funding for Washington after last fall’s storm, which has led to repeated refusals of aid for their recovery efforts.
These severe storms seem to be increasingly frequent, presumably due to climate change. After such disasters, communities look to their government for support, yet, Trump has often turned his back on those affected.
The role of the federal government should be to protect citizens from disasters and assist in recovery. However, under Trump’s administration, FEMA has shifted that responsibility to states like Maryland and Washington, which already face budget constraints and struggle to manage multi-million dollar disasters independently. It seems Trump isn’t entirely fulfilling his obligations; there’s a sense that politics has influenced his decisions to withhold aid from states where he lacked electoral support.
Meanwhile, as Trump distances himself from the struggles Americans face, governors in states like Maryland and Washington have stepped in to help. After a spring storm devastated western Maryland, the Moore administration quickly revitalized the state disaster recovery fund, providing $459,375 to Alleghany County for immediate relief and unlocking an additional $1 million for families to repair their homes.
Prior to taking office, the Inslee administration in Washington also made $1 million available for emergency home repairs and other recovery needs following the November storm.
In stark contrast, Trump not only denies disaster aid but seems to be undermining systems designed to ensure public safety.
For instance, he has significantly cut funding to the National Weather Service, leading to staff shortages and reduced forecasting capabilities. Communities are left unprepared for incoming storms, and when aid is needed most, it is often delayed.
This summer, the impact was felt in Texas, where flash floods tragically claimed at least one life. Many were left vulnerable due to insufficient staffing and resources for weather forecasting.
Delays in FEMA operations under Trump’s administration have hampered search and rescue efforts, resulting in unanswered calls from survivors—not due to a lack of resources, but rather due to ineffective leadership.
Recently, a nonpartisan accountability office concluded that the Trump administration violated laws by withholding FEMA funds meant for disaster victims. However, the damage of these decisions has already taken its toll.
In the face of disaster, factors like zip code, income, or political affiliation should be irrelevant. What truly matters is the immediate availability of assistance. In a country as affluent as ours, it is disheartening that some Americans are left without support during crises.
In Maryland and Washington, we don’t question the political affiliations of disaster victims; we focus on providing assistance.
We urge Trump and the federal government to meet their essential responsibilities—prioritizing the safety and well-being of all Americans. It’s time for the White House to respond to these urgent calls for help.
Wes Moore is the 63rd Governor of Maryland. Jay Inslee served as Washington’s 23rd Governor from 2013 to 2025.
