President Donald Trump has approved major disaster declarations for Alaska, Nebraska, North Dakota, and the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe, while denying similar requests from Maryland, Illinois, and Vermont—decisions that drew a mix of praise and criticism.
The approvals, announced in a series of announcements on Oct. 23, authorize the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to provide financial assistance for public infrastructure repairs and, in some cases, individual aid to residents whose homes were damaged. The denials leave several states without access to federal recovery funds after months of waiting for decisions.
