Trump denied Rhode Island disaster aid after record February blizzard

WASHINGTON, D.C. — A new report claims the Rhode Island disaster aid denied decision came after the Trump administration rejected the state’s request for federal assistance following the historic February 2026 blizzard.

According to the report, FEMA and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) determined Rhode Island met the federal requirements for a Major Disaster Declaration.

A joint state and federal damage assessment found more than $19.3 million in eligible storm-related costs. That total exceeded Rhode Island’s federal assistance threshold of about $2.1 million by more than nine times.

The February blizzard dumped record-breaking snowfall across the state. According to NOAA records included with the request, parts of Rhode Island received 37.9 inches of snow in 24 hours, and snowfall records were broken in all five counties.

The report also states FEMA’s New England regional office approved Rhode Island’s damage assessment before forwarding the request to President Donald Trump for a final decision. Similar disaster assistance requests from Massachusetts, New Jersey, and New York were also denied.

Gov. Dan McKee appealed the decision, saying the storm overwhelmed local resources and exhausted emergency personnel, equipment, and budgets.

Following the denial, McKee criticized the White House, saying, “Another case of the White House putting politics ahead of people,” and pledged to continue pursuing federal assistance for Rhode Island.

The Trump administration has defended its decision, saying each disaster request is reviewed individually and that federal assistance is intended to supplement—not replace—state and local recovery efforts. The White House has also said there was “no politicization” in the President’s decision-making process.