DHS Secretary Advocates for State-Led Disaster Response in North Carolina Visit
Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin has called for a fundamental restructuring of disaster response roles during his visit to Asheville, North Carolina, arguing that states and local governments should take the lead instead of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). This marks Mullin's first major public trip since his Senate confirmation last month, coinciding with the eighth week of the Department of Homeland Security shutdown.
Shift in FEMA's Role Emphasized
"We shouldn't look at FEMA as being a first responder, but look at FEMA as supporting the first responders you already have," Mullin stated at a roundtable discussion with reporters. He emphasized that states, neighbors, local mayors, and emergency response teams are better equipped than the federal agency, highlighting their superior resources and preparedness.
Mullin's visit focused on surveying recovery efforts after Hurricane Helene, which devastated western North Carolina in September 2024. He explained that he will be briefing the president on 22 other disasters nationwide, underscoring the scale of ongoing challenges.
Addressing Recovery Delays and Policy Changes
The secretary pointed to a backlog of home buyout requests that FEMA acknowledged had been "severely stalled" by bureaucratic red tape. To expedite recovery, Mullin recently rescinded a rule requiring personal approval of contracts over $100,000, a policy implemented by his predecessor, Kristi Noem, which critics said hindered agency responsiveness.
North Carolina Senator Thom Tillis last month accused the Department of Homeland Security of violating federal law by enacting this policy, which restricted FEMA recovery funds to Asheville. "It begs the question: why? Why would you be involved in that?" Tillis questioned during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing.
Controversial Background and Climate Stance
Mullin's record on climate crisis and disaster preparedness has drawn criticism from recovery experts, who note his lack of background in disaster management, including no service on House or Senate homeland security committees. Additionally, as recently as 2019, Mullin questioned the existence of the global climate crisis, despite scientific consensus that global warming is real, human-caused, and dangerous.
An analysis following Hurricane Helene found the storm was made 200 to 500 times more likely due to the climate crisis and 10% wetter. When addressing recovery delays in North Carolina, Mullin insisted that affected communities "haven't been forgotten," citing daily conversations with federal delegations.
Future of FEMA and Federal Support
During his confirmation hearing, Mullin pledged to revoke Noem's micromanagement policies, stating, "That's called micromanaging. I'm not a micromanager." He also asserted that FEMA should be "restructured, not eliminated," responding to concerns about Noem floating the idea of shifting disaster recovery responsibility entirely to states.
Mullin concluded that FEMA's role should be to assist with initial heavy lifting, enable rebuilding, and help fund recovery efforts, positioning the agency as a supportive rather than leading entity in disaster response.
