Trump personally blocks $227M in FEMA-approved disaster aid to four Democratic-led states

Published Jul 29, 12:49 PM UTC

President Donald Trump personally intervened to block $227 million in federal disaster aid to New Jersey, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and New York following a record-breaking February blizzard, overriding recommendations from FEMA and NOAA that all four states met aid requirements. Politico reviewed emails and over 150 pages of documents confirming the agencies' approvals. Since George W. Bush's presidency, 69 snow assistance requests met FEMA standards, with only one prior denial (New Mexico in 2016 under investigation). The Trump administration denies political motivation, but earlier in July 2026, officials admitted in court to deliberately canceling clean energy funding to states that did not vote for Trump in 2024. The president has also withheld childcare funding from blue states. The article also notes planned cuts to Medicare Part D subsidies, potentially raising premiums for millions of seniors ahead of midterm elections.