Noem's personal-review rule placed nearly $10 billion in nonprofit disaster grants on hold
Reporting and findings
- reported
House Democratic staff reported that Secretary Kristi Noem's approval regime held nearly $10 billion in FEMA nonprofit disaster grants for review, adding political signoff after awards had been approved.
- U.S. House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, Democratic Staff: DOGE Report: Interim Staff Analysis of DOGE's First 13 MonthsFEMA payment-control section
- The New York Times: Musk Targeted FEMA. Storm-Battered Communities Are Paying a PriceFEMA payment-control section
- documented
Elon Musk was the Trump-appointed senior adviser who led DOGE work.
- The White House: President Trump participates in a press conference with departing DOGE adviser Elon MuskAppointment or biography record identifying Elon Musk as Trump-appointed senior adviser who led DOGE work
- documented
Kristi Noem was the Trump-appointed homeland security secretary.
- U.S. Department of Homeland Security: Kristi NoemAppointment or biography record identifying Kristi Noem as Trump-appointed homeland security secretary
Summary and current status
Central signoff concentrated routine disaster spending in one political office and slowed recipient access.
DHS required secretary-level review for large payments
People and organizations
- Kristi NoemTrump-appointed homeland security secretary
- Elon MuskTrump-appointed senior adviser who led DOGE work
- Federal Emergency Management Agencydisaster agency whose payments required secretary approval
- Donald J. Trumppresident authorizing the administration action
Relationships in this file
- Kristi Noemcentralized payment approval under Noem and DOGE controlsFederal Emergency Management Agency
- Donald J. TrumpTrump-appointed senior adviser who led DOGE workElon Musk
- Donald J. TrumpTrump-appointed homeland security secretaryKristi Noem
Money trail
commitmentNonprofit disaster grants held for reviewnearly $10 billion - Reported commitment source
- Federal Emergency Management Agency
- Reported intended recipient
- Approved nonprofit disaster grantees
- Financially affected
- Disaster-affected communities