CAC’s Margie Alt on Trump’s First Year: “If we had a functioning FEMA, we’d call it in to clean up” Trump’s Mess
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 20, 2026
CONTACT: Katie Valentine, kvalentine@cacampaign.org, (770)861-0397
CAC’s Margie Alt on Trump’s First Year: “If we had a functioning FEMA, we’d call it in to clean up” Trump’s Mess
WASHINGTON, DC — On the first anniversary of Donald Trump’s second inauguration, looking back on a year marked by unlawful efforts to obstruct clean energy, sweeping rollbacks of environmental and public health protections, and major giveaways to polluters, Margie Alt, director of the Climate Action Campaign, released the following statement:
“In one year, Donald Trump has delivered for big polluters while leaving Americans with higher energy costs, sicker families, and broken promises. This administration has flouted the law numerous times, from withholding Congressionally approved funding for climate and environmental justice to blocking clean energy projects on the brink of completion. Trump has gone out of his way to help polluters profit and made the rest of us pay the price.
“Energy bills have risen 13% over the past year, despite Trump’s pledge to cut bills on “Day One.” Despite this being among the three hottest years in a row with over $115 billion in climate-fueled extreme weather disasters, he calls climate change a “hoax” and clean energy a “scam,” while his policies block affordable clean energy, driving up electricity bills and climate pollution. He has slashed funding or reduced grants for essential agencies like FEMA, NOAA, and the EPA, and fired scientists from the National Weather Service, putting every community in the country at greater risk of suffering from climate disasters like extreme weather, floods, and wildfires. The damage caused by Trump and EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin will take years to repair if repair is even possible.
“Trump claims his first year has been a resounding success. But as climate disasters grow more frequent, more destructive, and more deadly, and our families are faced with more deadly pollution, we know the truth: it has been an unmitigated disaster. If we had a functioning FEMA, we’d ask it to clean up the mess he’s made.”
About the Climate Action Campaign
Climate Action Campaign (CAC) is a vibrant coalition driving ambitious, durable, equitable federal action to tackle the climate crisis. By cutting carbon pollution and accelerating the transition to clean energy, we will improve public health and create a more resilient economy and a more sustainable future for all.
