(Undated) — Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem willingness to eliminate FEMA may be a backfire take after her time as South Dakota’s Governor. She made the comments about ending the agency during a televised cabinet meeting earlier this week. South Dakota has received at least 36 million dollars in FEMA money for the historic flooding last June. Noem also applied for FEMA money at least five times in 2019 alone. Local emergency officials say they are watching closely, hoping whatever comes next at least addresses some key needs for state disaster funding. FEMA is authorized through statute, so it’s unclear how much authority the Trump administration has to reform or cut the agency without congressional approval.
