Remember the derecho that hit Iowa? Turns out Governor Reynolds (R-IA) did, in fact, ask for Federal help. President Trump’s response is a little puzzling:
President Donald Trump said he had signed an emergency declaration for Iowa to help supply federal money to help the state recover from an unusual wind storm that struck a week ago but federal emergency management officials later confirmed he had only signed a portion of the request.
Trump claimed on his official presidential Twitter account Monday afternoon that he had “Just approved (and fast) the FULL Emergency Declaration for the Great State of Iowa. They got hit hard by record setting winds.” …
A Federal Emergency Management Agency spokesman said in an email that Trump had approved the public assistance portion of the governor’s request totaling about $45 million covering 16 counties. That portion of the declaration provides debris removal and repair to government buildings and utilities. He did not, however, approve the individual assistance request for 27 counties that includes $82.7 million for homes destroyed or with major damage and $3.77 billion for agriculture damage to farm land, grain bins and buildings and $100 million for private utilities repair. [AP]
At first glance, it appears to be a boot to the face of Iowans, especially the farmers. But, despite his lie in the Tweet, I suspect we’ll be seeing President Trump signing the rest of the request:
Trump is planning to visit Iowa on Tuesday, Reynolds said during a news conference, but she provided no details.
And it would not be in the least surprising if Trump signs the personal assistance portion of the emergency request at that time. It’s not that Trump has any expertise in disaster appraisal, and, given the quality of his appointees so far, I have no confidence that his FEMA head has any, either.
It’s the optics, of course.
Signing the personal assistance request in Iowa brings a sense of drama and his personal attention to Iowa. He may see this as a big win for his campaign.
How Iowans feel about being used as campaign markers is not clear to me. Perhaps this will convert Iowa independents to the Trump side. I suppose, if, in fact, he signs the rest of the request at that time, we’ll find out how much of a boost – or a drop – he gets in November.
