Colorado Governor Accuses Trump of Political Games After FEMA Denies Disaster Requests
Colorado Governor Jared Polis (D) has accused President Donald Trump of playing political games after the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) denied two requests for major disaster declarations. These requests were tied to damages from wildfires, mudslides in August, and historic flooding in southwestern Colorado in October 2025. Polis has announced plans to appeal the denials.
The affected events prompting the requests included the Elk Fire, the Lee Fire, and significant flooding in southwestern Colorado. The denial of federal disaster relief has drawn criticism from Colorado's two U.S. senators, Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper. Bennet pledged to pursue an appeal, emphasizing that federal assistance should be available to communities affected by such disasters. Hickenlooper stated that this is not a game and highlighted the impact on people’s lives.
In response, White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson denied any politicization in FEMA's disaster relief decisions, citing the careful stewardship of funds. Meanwhile, President Trump has indicated a possible move toward phasing out FEMA in favor of increased state responsibility for disaster management.
The Associated Press also contributed to the reporting of these events.
