Former Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant has been tabbed by President Donald Trump to be part of a group tasked with “reforming and streamlining” the Federal Emergency Management Agency, according to a release from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
Bryant, a Republican and close ally of Trump, served as governor from 2012-20. Trump acknowledged Bryant and 19 others’ appointment on his Truth Social account, calling the group “Top Experts in their field” and “Highly Respected by their peers.”
The FEMA Review Council will be co-chaired by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and include the following members:
- Greg Abbott, Texas governor
- Phil Bryant, former Mississippi governor
- Jane Castor, Tampa, Fla., mayor
- Mark Cooper, former chief of staff for Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards
- Rosie Cordero-Stutz, Miami-Dade County sheriff
- Evan Greenberg, Chubb Limited CEO
- Kevin Guthrie, Florida Division of Emergency Management executive director
- Nim Kidd, Texas Division of Emergency Management Agency chief
- Michael Whatley, Republican National Committee chairman
- Glenn Youngkin, Virginia governor
- Robert J. Fenton, Jr., FEMA Region 9 administrator
Bryant weighed in on the appointment, writing the following on social media: “Honored to receive this appointment by President Donald J. Trump! Unfortunately, we’ve earned a lot of experience with natural disasters and recovery in Mississippi. Let’s Make America Safe Again!”
The FEMA Review Council stems from a January executive order signed by Trump, as the president has consistently voiced his belief that the agency responsible for responding to natural disasters needs to be reshaped.
“The FEMA Review Council is charged with streamlining operations and ensuring FEMA delivers rapid, efficient, and mission-focused relief to Americans in need,” the release from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security reads.
All findings by the FEMA Review Council “on the existing ability of FEMA to capably and impartially address disasters” will be passed along to the president, as well as recommended changes related to FEMA, the release continued.
The creation of the FEMA Review Council and Bryant’s role in it come as Mississippi awaits a decision on federal aid applied for after 18 tornadoes tore through the state in mid-March, killing seven and causing millions in damage. Last week, the White House informed Arkansas that it would be denied federal aid for the same storm system.
