President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump arrive in Asheville, North Carolina, to show support for those in Western North Carolina devastatingly impacted by Hurricane Helene. President Trump has vowed to support the long-term recovery of the region and correct the negligent approach by Joe Biden and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
President Trump has said he increasingly sees the FEMA results as fraught with too much bureaucratic red tape and negligent positive results. He is now holding the opinion that a better use of federal support funds is to allow the states to operate the recovery operations with federal assistance.
Upon arrival at the airport, President Trump and First Lady Melania delivered remarks to the assembled press pool as well as morale boosting conversations with those impacted.
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President Trump and Melania signed autographs and walked the rope line of supporters. video below.
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Another in a series of moves to FEDERALISM, which ironically means States rights and responsibilities, rather than Federal Givt.
Bravo, on having the Feds step back from disaster relief, and just funnel $ to States, except God help those living in Dem run States, if they have a disaster, as we see with California.
Yes, a thousand times yes. Best government is closest to those governed.
(As far as dim states? Life is tough and its tougher if you’re stupid.)
Am concerned for the residents of states like Illinois.
I hear you. Guess that sounded callous.
Being from a “blue” state, I thought it sounded great. It’s when the policies hit the closest to home that you see the stupidity or wisdom of them.
Yes it did. I’m stuck in a state with a Dem governor who I did NOT vote for. We have election integrity issues here. And I can assure you that neither my friends or I are stupid.
If Illinois is a blue state then it got that way because the people voted for it.
Thank you, Aggiegirl….me too; I live there.
HaHa! Have that sign right next to the computer for the grandkids to see. John Wayne. RIP
John Wayne was absolutely correct when he coined that axiom, and it gets proven many times every day.
Great move by TRUMP visiting the people of NC that are hurting. A better move was making sure the 2 billion goes directly to the people and not through FEMA. Luv the qualifications he gave CA if they want the money . He then should only allocate $ 2.00 to CA.
I think that the Feds should ask the States: “We’ve got your back. What do you need from us?” Then, let the affected States tell you. The States must then be able to demonstrate that the supplied assistance was used in the proper and lawful manner: after the fact, there should be both audits and “de-briefings.” (What worked, what didn’t?)
FEMA would provide assistance to the States, except as requested by the State. And it would be up to the State, not the Feds, to dictate day-to-day procedures. The Feds won’t know the situation as well as the States will themselves.
Keep in mind the Governor of NC and his replacement ignored the plight of western NC in the main part.
Elections matter.
The new governor of NC signed 5 executive orders on his first full day in office on January 2nd. The EOs address issues that were slowing down recovery efforts in NC.
Well, here in Hawaii the state response is “No can”.
As a general rule, government works best when it is as close to the people being governed as possible. It’s almost a given that the mayor of a small town knows what his people need after a disaster more than the governor of his state does, and far more than any Fed. One size DOESN’T fit all.
FEMA is a political termite ridden shack and needs to be burned to the ground. This is true of much of fedgov.
Having Melania there is so awesome. I predicted that she will play a larger role in PDJT 2nd term.
JD Vance will need a running mate in 2028. FLOTUS to VPOTUS
Citizenship didn’t stop BO from being POTUS
Sorry JD not the person in 2028. Something about him that is NOT trust worthy. To much a politician . TRUMP for a 3rd term.
Absolutely. I believe that Vance’s ‘facade’ will eventually fall away. Hopefully sooner, rather than later.
On the live feed in NC (a few minutes ago), it was very moving to see Melania put her arms around a woman and pull her in tight after the woman described her devastation. What a First Lady !!
She’s the best we’ve ever had, and it’s not close.
Sure hope you are right. Best First Lady and I mean LADY ever. Nancy Reagan was close but not Melania.
Much as I like him, I can see someone arguing with President Trump. I can’t imagine anyone churlish enough to argue with Melania. Heck, to do that they’d have to get over being too tongue-tied in awe to even speak to her first!
Real women give comfort when needed.
Although I dearly love our POTUS and FLOTUS and she is such an improvement over what we’ve been stuck with in my lifetime, for me, she lost some of her sheen when during the campaign she revealed that she is “pro-choice”. I would much rather have not known.
We got FEMA because of poor Governors like Newsome.
Well, theoretically we have FEMA because a disaster has the potential to eliminate the State and local governments capabilities.
For instance, it is said for a day or so after Catruna hit New Orleans, 911 calls went unanswered, because LE officers were trying to secure their own homes and families.
So, the idea is FEMA comes in, and their assignment is to establish control, until such time as the local governments can resume governing.
Thats the IDEA, as I understand it anyway.
FEMA used to be good.
I took CERT training a number of years ago (after Hurricane Katrina) and FEMA had been reorganized due to its failures in Katrina.
There is a command structure used by emergency services called Incident Command Structure (ICS)
It sets out specific duties for various team members.
There are specific positions for logistics, for the media, for triage, for Search and Rescue.
When a team goes into a house or building to search, there are specific marks they make near the door that show what team went in, when and what they found.
The idea is that when “help” arrives, the new people will operate on the same command structure so they can just slot in and either assist, take over or provide logistical support while the local team continues to operate.
FEMA alas started to degrade when Obama came into office – the new director there was more interested in building communities than in preparing for disasters.
Their online training materials are still very good.
Standardized policies and processes is good.
The question is, does it take a billion odd dollar centralized office to accomplish it? DOD has a training and doctrine command already, and fills many of the support requests. Adding professional civilian Emergency Management positions to an existing capability might deliver same or similar results more efficiently.
Just thinking out loud.
A lot of this can probably be accomplished with state Guards sharing and implementing best practices, as well as support agreements between states and within Guard Bureau.
How about incorporating each State’s Nat’l Guard units into Emergency Response programs ( understanding that they have that coordination to some degree already ). More $ and equipment into a -hopefully- better organized and running operations. Great organization, maintenance, civil and engineering skills training. They’d (N.G.) also maybe increase their volunteer enlistments…
Here in Hawaii, the Guard AG (MG Logan) is the director of HI-EMA. Don’t see that that made a big difference in Lahaina.
ALL disasters are local. Long after the lights and sirens and cameras have left (and I’m talking years), the remains of the disaster persist in the local area. No state would have the funds or, in many cases, the manpower to deal with a Katrina event, so FEMA is there to help not just in immediate disaster response but also in disaster recovery. You are right about FEMA’s objective to establish the structure for control and coordination of relief efforts through its National Incident Management System. Disaster response gets the headlines and clearly, FEMA was derelict in its response in NC. I do not know how much FEMA is doing in NC for recovery. Typically, recovery can take years, sometimes even decades, as in the Mount St Helens volcano eruption recovery (18 years). And while FEMA opens the doors for SBA loans and other financial assistance to victims, it is a long process and one which most states affected by disaster don’t have the resources to undertake. And it’s not just loss of homes, it’s loss of business and jobs, et al, that cripple local recovery. As the Michigan State University study on critical incident protocols brutally pointed out:
• 47% of businesses that experience a disaster go out of business within two years.
• 44% of companies that lose records in a disaster never resume business.
• 93% of companies that experience a significant data loss in a disaster are out of business within five years.
• The majority of businesses spend less then 3% of their total budget on business recovery planning.
This is just the tip of the iceberg but it’s easy to see the scope of a disaster to local communities is much more than state budgets can or ever will be able to deal with, hence FEMA. But as with any group, FEMA’s success depends on the integrity of its leadership to use its people and resources to the best of its ability.
Here on Maui, USACE was responsible for debris removal, which has been accomplished. FEMA has contracted with local hotels/condo owners for housing which is being provided (extended to 2026). FEMA also wanted to bring in house trailers but our gov said Hawaii is too good for trailers so they are building modular prefab homes which is much slower. Bigger problem is getting building permits through Maui county which FEMA has no control over.
“permits”
State Agency Backlog Is Stalling Building On Maui
Orlando and Rowena Baraoidan thought it would be faster to rebuild on a different lot in Central Maui after their home burned down in Lahaina in August 2023. Instead, they’re stuck in bureaucratic limbo with a vacant residential property that they can’t build on.
The issue: a completed archaeological study – the final step needed to get a county building permit – has been sitting with the State Historic Preservation Division for months.
“We just don’t know what to do,” Rowena Baraoidan said in an interview. “Our hands are tied.”
Planners, consultants and property owners say SHPD’s review process is the slowest they’ve seen it in years. At a time when the need for homes on Maui is critical, the state agency in charge of protecting Native Hawaiian burial sites and other historic resources faces criticism from a wide range of people trying to get building permits. Several individual property owners, builders and consultants described a limbo that can last for years.
You got Newscum apparatchiks because of mickey mao media.
The outcome of the soviet apparatus was imagined uniformity without burden of belief.
Why Commiefornia Media Is Completely Captured by the Government
https://rumble.com/v6bby5y-why-commiefornia-media-is-completely-captured-by-the-government.html
“Kamala moved up through the soviet style apparatus in California.”
Nunes Exposes How The Intelligence State Has Fabricated Hoaxes Against President Trump Since 2016
https://rumble.com/v5eehl9-nunes-exposes-how-the-intelligence-state-has-fabricated-hoaxes-against-pres.html
FEMA was created by Jimmy Carter. It is another useless and bureaucratic government agency. It needs to go.
Finally! Thank you Mr. President for taking the lead!
This is exactly why he’s seen as trustworthy, capable and true to America First. He will be remembered as a much beloved president. GOD bless him.
Tears flow whenever I see Pres. Trump reach out to my fellow Americans in their darkest hour and deepest time of need. He’s there for me, for us, telling these dear people, “We haven’t forgotten you…we are with you.”
We have adults running our country again…Thank you God Almighty!
We should be thankful. We should be even more thankful we didn’t really face a major crisis or disaster during the last four years. The Biden Regime simply wasn’t up to dealing with it, end of story.
When asked if there would be any restrictions on the fema money for NC, President Trump said no, but there will be in California. It will be contingent on Northern California releasing more water to Southern California and contingent on California passing a VOTER ID law! I Love This President!
There’s that Nazi salute again!
Nice to see the SS is working hard to protect President Trump!!
Especially grown MEN!
If FEMA isn’t filled with people who know how to manage the actions that need to take place (evacuation, clean up, restoration, rebuilding & reoccupancy) & people who deploy to get shit done then it’s no more than a siphoning & wealth redistribution entity.
They siphon 💰 from taxpayers & distribute most of it to useless paper pushers with big compensation & benefit packages & retirement plans. Virtually nothing is returned to disaster victims in the form of management & relief.
I agree, we’d be better served if the states implemented the management & relief efforts but that must be under strict, delineated requirements & approved implementation plans or derelict guvnahs will do no better than FEMA.
Collective accountability makes failing upwards similar to Rank Choice Voting.
The apparatchik can shift into any apparatus captured by collectivism.
FEMA was assigned to protect apparatchiks from Trump terrorists.
House panel demands interviews with FEMA employees as part of probe into ‘systemic bias’ against Trump supporters
https://nypost.com/2024/11/18/us-news/house-panel-demands-interviews-with-fema-employees-as-part-of-probe-into-systemic-bias-against-trump-supporters/
NOT an Isolated Incident: Marni Washington, Admits Trump Voters Were Denied Aid
https://rumble.com/v5om2ie-not-an-isolated-incident-fema-scapegoat-marni-washington-admits-trump-voter.html
Job Corps for the beltway, N. VA and Maryland adjacent counties.
heehee …Melania and that salute …
I have an idea for President Trump. How about withholding ALL federal monies from states that don’t require voter ID to vote.
Praise be to God…we’re finally going to get help in Western North Carolina. Brings a tear to my eye. I have prayed every single day, since the storm in September, for God to bring help and hope to WNC. You just can’t imagine how bad it is unless you come visit. Our dear people have suffered for far too long. It is a puzzle to me as to why the last administration could stand by and watch our people suffer.
There is need for massive cleanup along the rivers and land all across areas of WNC counties. President Trump is right. It’s like tornado damage along with extreme flooding. It’s like a war zone in many, many places…vehicles, tractor trailers, train cars, destroyed houses, trees, everything you can think of laying beside and in the rivers and across the land. The trees are down everywhere. In some mountain areas…one ridge has no trees standing, the next one all the trees are standing. President Trump spoke of bringing demolition and cleanup help. This is so badly needed. I have thought that this in itself would bring people hope for the future. They have had to look at the destruction every day for months and never seeing improvement. Only a very small percentage of the debris has been removed. You can imagine what this does to the mental health of people.
Some are still living in tents with their families in the frigid temperatures we have had recently. A lot of people don’t want to leave their property as that is all they have left.
Who would have ever thought this could happen to our beautiful WNC mountains and in such a huge area. The landscape has been changed forever.
Samaritan’s Purse has been a blessing to our people, but they can only do so much. Please donate to them if you are able. From what I can see, most of our help has come from outside sources other than the government. God bless them for their love and efforts.
A week before Christmas we donated our older motor home to people in Saluda, NC who lost everything . This was done in spite of fema.
As much as I saw in the interweb unless you see it with your own Mk1 eyeballs you simply cannot comprehend what happened. I’m sure it’s the same in LA.
Personal donations of campers and such is far more useful than fedgov fema. A pox on all their houses.
They both care
that’s the difference and that can’t be faked
they (POTUS/FLOTUS) have real empathy for what happened in Nc/Tn/Fl and for the people if not the officials of CA.
huzzah!
AND, President Trump is Olympic Gold Medal-standard when it comes to getting red tape cut and effective help where it needs to be as soon as it is humanly possible to get it there. Those people in WNC are going to see some big, and very positive, changes in a big hurry.
The first thing I noticed, President Trump had no problem descending the stairs from AF1. I guess we’ll have to wait and see if he can master the ascent, as did his predecessor… /s
I’m not worried. President Trump will be fine.
Like the way the ss is all over him like a mama bear to her cub. Good to see!
I have worked disaster response events in my state where FEMA reps, on phone calls, said they wanted certain levies open to encourage flooding in the wealthier parts of town so they wouldn’t have to pay out as much (assuming people there have better insurance). I’m not sure it even works like that but the attitude was disgusting. And that was just one small local event. Imagine what they do with the really big stuff? I think a thorough housecleaning at FEMA is very likely in order
What a hoot – one lady said “I’m shaking … you married up Sir”.
I’d be hard put to argue with that assessment.
1sr: The NC guy at the time of the hurricanes was a Democrat.
2nd: NC voted against black Repub candidate for Gov this past Nov. Electing instead another Democrat.
3rd: Asheville — the major city in the area dominates buncombe county as is had left wing Democrat. ( As are a lot of towns in the area eg Hendersonville and Brevard).
So, in many ways ,NC is as bad as LA and California politically
Toss in 2 Rino senators, and bingo.
( Georgia is as bad too)
Now for the comment that’ll get me flagged here: DeSantis and Florida on the other hand…were 180 % different and better.
Nope, I don’t see any justification for flagging you. You told the truth. Florida definitely handled this stuff better, and DeSantis gets a great deal of the credit for doing so. He’s easily one of the top five governors in the nation, and you could make a very good argument for him being the best in the nation.
I don’t know how well Mr. Robinson would have handled this massive problem, but at least he would have cared about these people. The Democrats clearly don’t at either a state or a Federal level.
Just a reminder re Georgia…Atlanta(Fulton County) stole the Senate seat away from Herschel Walker with massive ballot fraud in 2020, and both the Governor and SOS are corrupt RINOs who bought D0mini0n machines shortly before the’20 election. They likely rigged their own numbers with previous.
Hopefully PDJT will light a fire under FEMA to pay contractors who worked the NC hurricane in October.
Btw a note to Sundance re pardons, and if he has any contacts in DC who can get word to Team Trump about TINA PETERS… She is sitting in prison in Mesa CO after being railroaded by cosmically corrupt state officials, judge, jury, for merely doing her job as an election clerk, trying to prevent ballot fraud.
Every day she spends in prison is a travesty and an outrage, and Kash Patel should be investigating everyone involved.
LOOK AT THAT BIG STAIRCASE OFF OF THE PLANE! No one fell down.! And Pete Hegseth was just confirmed as the next SEC of Defense as per a post from the Epoch Times.
I am very glad that I am not working in cleaning up all of the Head’s Exploding Mess. I really did used to wash floors in D.C. on my hands and knees to earn a living. It didn’t last long, but yea verily. So grateful I am not employed in what is starting to sound like the biggest mess cleanup in my lifetime.
cross posted at https://freedomaustralia.freeforums.net/thread/6646/president-first-tarmac-presser-carolina
An American President
Melania is stunning even in a watch cap.
Melania Trump cute as a button, her prescence will bring happiness. God bless this fine man Donald J Trump I bet he thinks what this verse explains Matthew 25:39 Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? He is only doing what he is supposed to do (and what BiteMe & FEMA should have done).
Josh Stein, the new Democrat governor and previous attorney general of NC, came into office with 5 executive orders tuned to western NC’s recovery needs. He signed those EOs on his 1st full day, January 2nd and seems to have hit the ground running. One of his EOs even granted state employees the option to work 16 hours onsite in WNC to assist in the recovery efforts.
Here are his priorities he highlighted in his inaugural address:
https://www.yahoo.com/news/gov-josh-stein-lays-priorities-205056839.html
It is disappointing that President Trump managed not to say Governor Josh Stein’s name. Josh Stein sounds like somebody who might better belong in the Republican party.
What an amazing level of energy and commitment! God bless PRESIDENT TRUMP and his efforts to Make America Great Again!