Homeland Security Secretary Noem Calls for Overhaul of FEMA, Reveals Musk’s Access to Disaster Data

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem expressed her support for dismantling the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in its current form, stating on CNN’s “State of the Union,” NBC News reports.

“I would say, yes, get rid of FEMA the way it exists today.”

Noem emphasized the continued need for resources and funding to support individuals affected by disasters, such as Hurricane Helene and the California wildfires. She indicated that President Donald Trump is considering an evaluation of FEMA with his team and intends to work with Congress to ensure any changes are implemented effectively.

Her comments follow reports of Trump’s exploration of alternatives to FEMA in the wake of recent natural disasters. During a January visit to North Carolina, Trump said his intention to initiate a process of “fundamentally reforming and overhauling FEMA, or maybe getting rid of FEMA,” citing concerns about the agency’s performance.

In a potentially controversial revelation, Noem confirmed reports that Elon Musk and his team at the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) have been granted access to FEMA disaster data, including sensitive personal information about disaster victims.

“The president has authorized [Musk] to have access,” Noem said, adding, “We’re working with them at the president’s direction to find what we can do to make our department much more efficient.”

She expressed her confidence in the arrangement.

Beyond FEMA, Noem also addressed the Trump administration’s plans to house migrants at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. While initially intended for violent offenders, Noem did not rule out the possibility of housing nonviolent offenders at the facility.

“We will have some facilities that will be up to the same standards as other detention facilities in the United States. And I don’t think the president is going to tie his hands on what he needs to do to make sure that America is safe,” she said.

Noem anticipates that temporary detention facilities at Guantanamo will eventually be able to house up to 30,000 migrants. Despite previous instances of dodging questions about whether women and children would be housed at Guantanamo, she affirmed the legality of transferring individuals from U.S. soil to the facility.

“I am, and the president is comfortable with that.”

She did not provide a timeline for how long individuals would be detained at Guantanamo before being returned to their home countries.