On March 19, 2025, President Donald J. Trump signed an Executive Order aimed at enhancing state and local preparedness for various incidents, including cyber attacks and natural disasters.

This Order seeks to simplify federal policies related to preparedness and response, allowing for a more streamlined approach that empowers local leaders to better address the needs of their communities. A key aspect of this initiative is the establishment of a National Resilience Strategy and a National Risk Register to more effectively identify and manage risks to national infrastructure, thereby guiding more efficient spending and planning.

The Executive Order also underscores the importance of early preparedness, aiming to provide quicker and more effective assistance to Americans during crises. By transitioning from an “all-hazards” approach to a risk-informed strategy, the Order prioritizes resilience and proactive measures over merely sharing information. This strategy is designed to enhance the resilience of infrastructure and communities against both global and local threats, ensuring that local governments can collaborate more effectively with federal resources.

Additionally, the Order reflects President Trump’s commitment to decentralizing authority from the federal government to state and local entities. In his first week back in office, President Trump initiated a task force to assess the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) disaster response capabilities. The Order also emphasizes the allocation of resources to support states such as California and North Carolina in their recovery efforts, highlighting the need to prioritize local needs in disaster preparedness and response.

Original: article