Donor Access Skews Disaster Aid

DHS centralized FEMA approvals under Kristi Noem, creating slowdowns for many communities while a Naples pier project was fast-tracked after a Noem donor intervened. Texts and emails show leadership ordered the project 'pushed immediately' and Noem personally visited and dined with the donor. Centralized discretion paired with political access invites pay‑to‑play dynamics in emergency relief. — It suggests disaster funds can be steered by political favoritism, undermining equal treatment and calling for guardrails on executive discretion and donor influence.