Trump refuses to give disaster relief to Arkansas after severe storms killed at least 40

Arkansas lawmakers are urging President Donald Trump to reconsider denying federal disaster relief to the state after severe storms and tornadoes reportedly killed more than 40 people.

Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders (R), who served as Trump’s press secretary from 2017-19, requested federal disaster aid but was denied by the Trump administration. Trump and members of his administration have been threatening to eliminate the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), which delegates federal dollars to states that declare a state of emergency.

FEMA is a sub-agency of the Department of Homeland Security, which is headed by Secretary Kristi Noem, who supports eliminating the agency.

Sanders, along with Arkansas Sens. Tom Cotton (R) and John Boozman (R), as well as the state’s congressional delegation, have asked Trump to reconsider his decision with citizens in Arkansas struggling to handle the destruction.

“As Governor Sanders noted in her request, these storms caused catastrophic damage across the state, resulting in disastrous amounts of debris, widespread destruction to homes and businesses, the deaths of three Arkansans, and injuries to many more,” the lawmakers wrote on April 21.

Compounding natural disasters in multiple communities last month will make recovery more difficult for the state and local governments in Arkansas.

Our congressional delegation supports Gov. @SarahHuckabee Sanders’ request for reconsideration of a major disaster declaration. pic.twitter.com/QeevXRq0Ov

— Senator John Boozman (@JohnBoozman) April 21, 2025

FEMA has also denied disaster aid to Kentucky, Maryland and West Virginia in the initial months of Trump’s second term.

Trump stated in January that he wants states to handle disaster relief, and therefore FEMA isn’t necessary. Critics have pointed out that states and local municipalities already do the groundwork of managing disasters, and that eliminating FEMA would slash financial relief states rely on after disasters occur.