Colorado Gov. Jared Polis accused President Donald Trump of playing "political games" after the federal government denied disaster declaration requests. (AP)
"Coloradans impacted by the Elk and Lee fires and the flooding in Southwestern Colorado deserve better than the political games President Trump is playing," the governor said in a statement.
Colorado's two U.S. senators, Democrats Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper, also blasted the administration for the denials.
"FEMA’s denial of Colorado’s request for federal disaster assistance is unacceptable," Bennet wrote on X. "Western Colorado communities need help recovering after the historic flooding and wildfires this year, and federal assistance should be available to every state and county that needs it."
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The White House claimed there was "no politicization" in the administration's decisions on disaster relief. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)
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Jackson said Trump responds to each request for federal disaster assistance "with great care and consideration, ensuring American tax dollars are used appropriately and efficiently by the states to supplement — not substitute, their obligation to respond to and recover from disasters."
Trump has suggested the possibility of "phasing out" FEMA, saying he wants states to take more responsibility. States already lead the government response after disasters, but officials may seek federal assistance when the needs exceed what they can manage on their own.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/colorado-governor-accuses-trump-playing-political-games-after-fema-denies-disaster-requests