Democratic Washington Gov. Jay Inslee waited nearly five months to receive federal disaster aid for a devastating 2020 wildfire after then-President Donald Trump delayed the approval, allegedly due to personal and political conflicts.
Thomas Frank and Scott Waldman report for E&E News.
In short:
- Trump withheld $37 million in disaster aid requested by Inslee, despite the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) determining the damages met aid requirements.
- Trump’s delay left rural communities, including Malden, Washington, uncertain about rebuilding; 80% of Malden's structures were destroyed.
- The delay highlights Trump’s use of federal aid as leverage over governors who criticized him, with similar delays reported in California, Utah, Maryland and Georgia.
Key quote:
“It really got stuck in his mind at that point-of-disaster response, that showing up and doing this disaster theater is a way for him to garner support and a way for him to be admired — and that feeds into his personality.”
— Mark Harvey, who was Trump’s senior director for resilience policy on the National Security Council staff
Why this matters:
Federal disaster aid is essential for communities to recover and rebuild, yet politically motivated delays undermine its reliability. Consistent access to timely federal support after natural disasters is critical, especially as climate-related catastrophes become more frequent.
Learn more: Trump's approach to disaster aid was influenced by politics, say former aides
