Two House Democrats are pushing for a congressional watchdog to examine whether the Trump administration has politicized federal disaster aid decisions, following a string of high-profile rejections that have drawn accusations of partisan bias.
Representatives Bennie Thompson of Mississippi and Timothy Kennedy of New York formally asked the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to review the criteria used by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) when it recommends whether the president should approve a major disaster declaration. The lawmakers also want the GAO to assess how often a president’s final decision has matched FEMA’s recommendations over the past decade, and whether underserved communities receive equitable treatment under the current system.
The request, first obtained by The Hill, comes amid growing frustration from state and local leaders in places like Colorado, where officials have accused the administration of playing politics with disaster relief. In their letter, Thompson and Kennedy cited concerns that the president’s decisions may be shaped more by perceived political loyalty than by objective need.
“There are indications that the President’s decision-making is often based, at least in part, on perceived political support rather than on objective data about a jurisdiction’s need for Federal assistance,” the lawmakers wrote.
They added: “We are concerned that the Trump administration’s pattern of denying disaster declarations to communities who previously would have qualified for assistance may have disproportionate impacts on rural areas, small States, and other underserved communities who have historically struggled to receive equitable assistance from FEMA.”
The White House has not responded to a request for comment. In previous instances, administration officials have defended the denials as fiscally responsible, insisting they are nonpolitical and aimed at being good stewards of taxpayer dollars. President Trump has also publicly signaled that he wants the federal government to reduce overall disaster aid spending.
This investigation request arrives amid broader tensions over the administration’s handling of federal resources, including a judge ordering a CBP chief to testify on tariff refunds and ongoing scrutiny of Trump’s failed mediation efforts in Russia-Ukraine talks. The GAO confirmed receipt of the request; spokesperson Brody Garner said the office is determining whether and when to proceed with the investigation.
Critics argue that the pattern of denials undermines the federal government’s role as a safety net during natural disasters, while supporters point to the need for fiscal discipline. The GAO probe, if launched, could provide a comprehensive look at whether political considerations have tainted what is supposed to be an objective process.
