President Trump's Homeland Security nominee, Markwayne Mullin, pledged to immediately revoke a controversial policy that slowed federal disaster aid. The Oklahoma Republican told senators he would avoid "micromanaging" FEMA, signaling a departure from current Secretary Kristi Noem's approach that required approvals for contracts over $100,000.

The Noem policy has created significant delays for disaster-struck communities, with Senate Democrats finding FEMA projects delayed by an average of three weeks. Mullin, however, wants to let FEMA leaders take control while still pursuing a leaner agency. He defended the administration's efforts to reduce federal bureaucracy but promised to ensure FEMA remains "adequately staffed" for disaster response.

Mullin's approach suggests a potential balance between efficiency and effectiveness in disaster response. Emergency managers have welcomed his promise to hire a permanent FEMA administrator with disaster response experience. The nominee plans to move forward with stalled FEMA overhaul efforts while acknowledging the agency faces increasingly complex disasters with staffing challenges.