politics
March 18, 2026
Trump’s DHS pick, Markwayne Mullin, stokes fears of more Fema cuts
Senator backed restructuring the disaster agency but dodged questions on staffing, leaving officials uneasy over readiness and leadership
TL;DR
- Markwayne Mullin's confirmation hearing for DHS secretary has sparked worries about the future of Fema.
- Mullin indicated Fema should be restructured, not eliminated, and criticized current micromanagement policies.
- Officials are concerned about Mullin's vagueness on staffing levels and his past votes against disaster relief measures.
- Critics point to Mullin's past skepticism about the climate crisis and his suggestions that states, not the federal government, should lead disaster response.
- Fema managers express unease over potential further staff reductions, noting that existing limited workforce capacity already compromises safety.
- Experts anticipate Mullin may follow former Secretary Noem's approach, potentially impacting disaster preparedness during severe weather events.
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