RI Delegation Opens Probe into Trump Politicizing Disaster Relief

PROVIDENCE, RI - In an effort to investigate and expose the Trump Administration's blatant and unwarranted politicization of federal disaster aid, Rhode Island's Congressional delegation sent a letter to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) demanding answers and the preservation of records and documentation related to Rhode Island's request for a major disaster declaration for the historic February 2026 blizzard.

Despite the fact that damage from the blizzard far surpassed FEMA's threshold for federal assistance, the Trump Administration unfairly denied the state's request and brazenly rejected appeals from Rhode Island and other 'Blue states' that requested a Major Disaster Declaration.

Between February 22-23, 2026, Rhode Island was struck by a record-breaking blizzard that dumped 37.9 inches of snow in a 24-hour period and the state experienced wind gusts of 74 miles per hour. The winter storm hit Rhode Island with the intensity of a Category 2 hurricane, caused severe power outages for tens of thousands of Rhode Islanders, and tragically resulted in two fatalities and hundreds of emergency room visits. The storm created immense challenges for local businesses, which faced prolonged closures due to storm-related damage and disruptions to transportation, utilities, and public services.

In the aftermath of the blizzard, Rhode Island officials worked directly with FEMA to document over $19 million in direct storm damages eligible for federal reimbursement.

Pointing out that the Trump Administration still has yet to provide Rhode Island with a written, detailed explanation for why the state's request was denied despite exceeding FEMA's thresholds for assistance, U.S. Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse and U.S. Representatives Seth Magaziner and Gabe Amo wrote to the executive branch: "The facts could not be clearer. This storm was not typical winter weather; indeed, the National Weather Service confirmed snowfall totals that exceeded the historical 1-day snowfall records in all five Rhode Island counties. Downplaying this devastating blizzard as just "winter weather" is an insult to those whose lives and businesses were upended by the historic blizzard."

The lawmakers note a cache of documents has already been obtained by Politico -- Trump overrode his own agencies to deny 4 Democratic disaster requests - that exposes partisan retribution. Politico notes: "President Donald Trump overruled his own agencies when he denied disaster aid for four Democratic-led states this month.

"Emails between state and federal officials obtained by POLITICO along with more than 150 pages of documents submitted to FEMA by three states - New Jersey, Massachusetts and Rhode Island - provide new details about Trump's low rate of approving disaster aid for his political adversaries."

Full text of the letter follows:

Dear Secretary Mullin and Administrator Hamilton:

We write to request that you immediately preserve and provide all Department of Homeland Security documentation related to Rhode Island's request for a major disaster declaration under the Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act for its February 2026 blizzard.

Between February 22-23, 2026, Rhode Island was struck by a record-breaking blizzard that produced up to 37.9 inches of snow - its highest one-day snowfall on record - and up to 74-mile-per-hour winds. The storm hit the state with the intensity of a Category 2 hurricane, caused severe power outages, and tragically resulted in two fatalities and hundreds of emergency room visits. The State of Rhode Island worked with expert officials from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to develop a joint Preliminary Damage Assessment, which was submitted on April 7, 2026 with the state's request and found over $19 million in validated damages - more than nine times the threshold required for disaster assistance.

To date, FEMA has not provided Rhode Island officials with a written, detailed explanation for why the state's request was denied despite exceeding FEMA's thresholds for assistance. However, on September 3, 2026, Administrator Hamilton, referencing the Administration's denials for assistance to Rhode Island, New York, New Jersey, and Massachusetts, posted on X: "Winter weather is not new to the Northeast. Federal disaster aid is not a backstop for routine state & local budgeting."

The facts could not be clearer. This storm was not typical winter weather; indeed, the National Weather Service confirmed snowfall totals that exceeded the historical 1-day snowfall records in all five Rhode Island counties. Downplaying this devastating blizzard as just "winter weather" is an insult to those whose lives and businesses were upended by the historic blizzard.

Given the lack of a detailed, written explanation and Administrator Hamilton's flippant claim that the blizzard's impact was a failure of state and local budgeting, we request that you immediately preserve and provide all communications and records, including those with other agencies, the President, and others at the White House, relating to FEMA's evaluation of Rhode Island's disaster request. If you fail to preserve and provide this information, it is only reasonable to assume that claim is entirely without merit.

Thank you for your prompt attention to this important matter.

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