Federal aid recovery for tornado victims halted following Trump's rejection of funding request
Busting the Myth: Arkansas' Tornado Survivors Turned Away from Federal Aid in 2025
Y'all, listen up! Here's the lowdown on Arkansas disaster survivors, left without a shelter after those damn spring tornadoes earlier this year. President Donald Trump didn't approve the state's request to declare a major disaster back in March, leaving these folks high and dry.
Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders, Trump's former press secretary, put in a plea for individual and public assistance following the devastating storms that also hit Mississippi and Missouri, causing over 40 deaths. But, the Trump administration said nah to federal help, citing that the disaster wasn't severe enough to require federal intervention.
This decision comes after Trump's executive orders aiming to shift the financial burden of disaster response and recovery from the feds onto the states. With climate change causing these weather events to become increasingly destructive, it's unclear how states will fill the resulting void.
Apparently, Trump and Homeland Security Sec. Kristi Noem are dead set on axing FEMA, which provides temporary housing and rebuilding aid after storms, as well as public assistance for municipalities after disasters, like tornadoes, hurricanes, or wildfires2.
In a letter dated April 11, FEMA officials pointed out that the damage wasn't severe enough to warrant federal assistance1. But, it's uncertain whether Missouri and Mississippi will face the same fate. The White House and governors' offices in those states weren't immediately available for comment.
Surprisingly, former President Joe Biden approved a disaster declaration request for Arkansas just two days after a tornado hit in '23, in stark contrast to Trump's response1.
Here's the kicker: billions in disaster aid were reportedly left untouched last year. Nearly $100 billion in grant money and disaster assistance sat frozen at FEMA for weeks, as staff waited for guidance on funding restrictions to comply with Trump's executive orders limiting aid for immigration programs and sanctuary cities1. FEMA has managed to distribute most of the funds, but it's not the same as the individual disaster aid that was denied to Arkansas in '25.
Arkansas is far from giving up hope — Sanders has appealed the denial, citing the state's dire need for assistance to recover and rebuild1. According to Lacey Kanipe, the spokesperson for the Arkansas Department of Public Safety, volunteer organizations are stepping up to help fill the gap left by the lack of federal funds1.
FEMA administrator Deanne Criswell stated that their mission isn't to replace first responders, but to support state and local jurisdictions with their needs1. It's about damn time they stepped up!
CNN's Gabe Cohen contributed to this report.
- The weather-related disaster in Arkansas, caused by tornadoes earlier this year, left survivors without federal aid following President Donald Trump's denial to approve the state's request for a major disaster declaration in March.
- FEMA, an agency that provides aid after storms, is facing a backlog due to billions of dollars in disaster assistance funds left untouched last year, as staff waited for guidance to comply with Trump's policy-and-legislation limitations.
- In general-news, Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders is stepping up attempts to appeal the denial for federal aid for Arkansas tornado survivors, citing the state's desperate need for assistance to recover and rebuild.
- Politics surrounding policy-and-legislation, including Trump's executive orders, are causing question marks over the future role and funding of FEMA, potentially leading to increased challenges for states faced with disasters like tornadoes, hurricanes, or wildfires.
