The Trump administration has denied Maryland’s appeal for federal disaster aid following May floods that caused an estimated $33.7 million in damage—over three times the federal threshold for assistance. The decision reflects the administration’s policy of shifting more disaster recovery costs to states.
Maryland Governor Wes Moore called the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) refusal “deeply frustrating,” saying state funds are being used to support recovery efforts, including $450,000 from the State Disaster Recovery Fund. “President Trump and his Administration have politicized disaster relief,” Moore said in a statement.
While approving full-cost federal assistance for Alaska, Nebraska, North Dakota, and the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe, Trump denied Maryland’s request along with appeals from Vermont and Illinois. An Associated Press analysis found the administration has taken longer than previous ones to approve disaster declarations.
White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson defended the denials, saying Trump “provides a more thorough review” to ensure federal funds “supplement — not substitute” state obligations. Trump has also floated plans to “phase out” FEMA and give states greater responsibility for recovery.
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