The Trump administration is weighing whether or not to relocate the Federal Emergency Administration Company to Texas and faucet the state’s prime emergency official to guide it, Politico reported Monday, citing two former senior FEMA officers.
In February, Trump interviewed Nim Kidd, head of the Texas Division of Emergency Administration, to run FEMA. Kidd later acknowledged the interview however declined the place, writing on LinkedIn that he’s “dedicated to serving Texas first.”
Kidd sits on a 13-member FEMA assessment council that Trump appointed. Politico reported that the panel is anticipated to advocate FEMA’s transfer to Texas. The outlet stated that may accommodate Kidd’s want to stay in Texas
Kidd couldn’t be instantly reached for remark Monday. Gov. Greg Abbott additionally sits on the assessment council and couldn’t be instantly reached. The Politico report didn’t say what metropolis may very well be into account for a possible FEMA relocation.
U.S. Sen. John Cornyn of Texas known as Kidd “the GOAT,” Monday on X, an acronym for “best of all time.”
Kidd started his profession 33 years in the past as a volunteer firefighter in La Vernia earlier than serving with the San Antonio Hearth Division, the place he was promoted to positions together with district fireplace chief. From 2004 to 2010, he served as metropolis emergency supervisor for the Metropolis of San Antonio.
As TDEM chief, Kidd has overseen the state’s response to a number of giant and lethal disasters, together with this yr’s Hill Nation floods and final yr’s Panhandle wildfires.
Politico’s report got here hours after performing FEMA Administrator David Richardson resigned Monday to return to the personal sector. FEMA chief of employees Karen Evans will fill the performing administrator position stating Dec. 1.
“The FEMA assessment council continues its work and can make suggestions of their remaining report,” stated the Division of Homeland Safety, which oversees FEMA, in an announcement to The Texas Tribune.
FEMA coordinates federal responses to disasters and emergencies, together with by offering monetary and different help to victims, administering packages just like the Nationwide Flood Insurance coverage Program and getting ready professionals to handle threats.
Republicans in 2024 accused company officers of withholding assist from homes that outwardly supported Trump. A report later debunked this declare as a one-off incident, then this yr, Trump’s DHS revealed a brand new report elevating the identical claims of politically biased assist distribution.
Shifting the company about 1,500 miles from Washington to Texas may create “large challenges” by separating the headquarters from its overseeing company, one former FEMA official advised Politico.
Each Texas Tribune staffer Alex Nguyen and Present Editor-in-Chief Sanford Nowlin contributed to this story.
Disclosure: Politico has been a monetary supporter of The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan information group that’s funded partially by donations from members, foundations and company sponsors. Monetary supporters play no position within the Tribune’s journalism. Discover a full checklist of them right here.
This text first appeared on The Texas Tribune.
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