Summary

Disaster survivors in Arkansas were “blocked from receiving federal recovery aid” after Donald Trump denied Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders’ request for a major disaster declaration.

The Trump administration stated the damage was “not of such severity and magnitude as to be beyond the capabilities of the state.”

Trump signed executive orders to shift disaster recovery responsibility to states, while aiming to eliminate FEMA.

Sanders appealed, writing, “the state and its citizens are in dire need of assistance.” Without federal aid, “volunteer organizations in Arkansas are stepping up” as the state faces “significant challenges” in recovery efforts.