An Associated Press analysis found that it’s taking more than a month, on average, for President Donald Trump to approve major disaster declarations after receiving requests. That’s up from an average of less than two weeks during the 1990s and early 2000s.

When a disaster strikes, governors or tribal leaders can send requests for aid to the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and must provide evidence that they are “unable to effectively respond and recover without federal assistance.” Ultimately, the president decides whether or not to grant that aid.

The amount of time it's taking to issue that decision has increased in recent decades, the AP analysis found — especially under Trump. So far this year, 62% of the disaster requests Trump has approved have taken 30 days or more — more th

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