Disaster aid delays and denials under Trump disproportionately affect Democratic states, analysis shows

Americans are waiting longer for disaster aid under President Donald Trump, with delays often stretching weeks or months. An analysis of federal disaster declarations finds that since taking office last year, Trump has approved about 65 requests for major disaster declarations while denying over two dozen. These denials disproportionately affect states that voted Democratic, according to multiple outlets including KTAR and the Sun Sentinel.

2 sources

KTARTrump is taking longer to approve disaster aid and denying Democratic states more frequentlySun SentinelTrump is taking longer to approve disaster aid and denying Democratic states more frequently

"When major disasters strike, Americans are routinely waiting weeks, or even months, to receive presidential approval for aid. And if they live in a state that didn't support President Donald Trump, chances are greater that aid will be denied."

The pattern is underscored by a notable batch of denials involving four Democratic-leaning states. WBUR reported that Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, and Rhode Island were denied federal aid after seeking assistance for a February snowstorm. The analysis shows Trump has been taking longer on average to approve major disaster declarations than any previous president, while also rejecting requests at a higher rate.

"President Trump has been taking longer on average to approve major disaster declarations than any previous president, and is denying requests at a higher rate."

WKMG News 6 and WDIV ClickOnDetroit both reported that delays of weeks or months have become routine under the current administration. The data suggests a political dimension to the approval process, with states that did not support Trump in the election facing greater hurdles in securing federal disaster relief. The analysis covers declarations made during Trump's second term, comparing his response time and approval rate to historical norms. Critics argue the delays and disparate treatment undermine the intended purpose of disaster aid, which is to provide timely assistance to all affected communities regardless of political affiliation.

2 sources

WKMG News 6Trump is taking longer to approve disaster aid and denying Democratic states more frequentlyWDIV ClickOnDetroitTrump is taking longer to approve disaster aid and denying Democratic states more frequently