The president's comments brought immediate pushback. Kentucky Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear called the elimination of FEMA a "very bad idea." Sen. Bill Cassidy (R–La.) stopped short of condemning Trump's comments, saying some federal disaster agency is needed, even if that agency isn't FEMA.

The acting head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency wrote to staff reassuring them that the agency's continued existence was vital to the country's disaster response efforts, after President Donald Trump said he wanted to overhaul or scrap it.

The president said he's considering letting Washington directly reimburse states for disaster-relief efforts, but states might not be equipped for rapid response.

Acting Administrator Cameron Hamilton amplified false charges that FEMA spent disaster aid on migrants and blocked help to North Carolina.