Trump denies disaster aid to four Democratic-led states after approving $846 million for Republican states

On July 3, 2026, President Trump denied disaster aid requests from four Democratic-led states—New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island—totaling $227 million for recovery from a February blizzard that brought record snowfall and hurricane-force winds. The denials came just two days after Trump approved over $846 million in FEMA aid for six Republican-led states and praised GOP officials on Truth Social. A POLITICO analysis found that under Trump, blue states are three times less likely to receive disaster funding than red states (23% vs. 89% approval), with longer wait times. Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey called the decision 'deeply disappointing,' and former Washington Governor Jay Inslee described Trump's approach as 'outrageous, immoral, and illegal.' The White House defended the denials as a 'more thorough review,' but lawmakers accused Trump of politicizing emergency relief.