Trump Administration Denies Federal Disaster Aid To Tornado-Stricken Arkansas, Pushing Responsibility To States

After a series of destructive tornadoes in Arkansas, residents seeking federal disaster relief were turned down by the President Donald Trump administration. The denial comes in the wake of a larger redirection in disaster recovery policy, with more responsibility being pushed onto states.

What Happened: In March, several tornadoes devastated Arkansas, leading to more than 40 deaths in several states. Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders requested a major disaster declaration for individual and public assistance in the aftermath.

However, on April 11, the Trump administration rejected the request, referring to its executive orders that shifted the onus of disaster recovery from the federal government to state and local bodies.

The denial, quoted by CNN, stated that "the damage from this event was not of such severity and magnitude as to be beyond the capabilities of the state, affected local governments, and voluntary agencies."

See Also: Harvard Sues Trump Administration For Attempting To Withhold Billions In Federal Grants

Why It Matters: This decision signals a major shift in how disaster recovery is managed, as states are now expected to endure more of the financial burden.

Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders appealed the denial on April 18, stressing that in the absence of federal assistance, "Arkansas will face significant challenges in assuming full responsibility and achieving an effective recovery from this event."

Both Trump and Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem have stated their intention to abolish FEMA, the agency tasked with allocating billions each year to provide provisional housing and disaster management assistance.

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