Residents of Western North Carolina are expressing intense frustration with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), finding themselves in dire situations with inadequate support. This discontent isn't isolated; even President Trump has criticized FEMA's leadership, suggesting its potential dissolution and replacement with direct federal aid.

Vice President JD Vance echoed these concerns on CBS's "Face the Nation," characterizing FEMA as "often a disaster" and highlighting its struggles to collaborate effectively with state and local officials.

This disconnect between FEMA and local needs resonates with residents like Michael, who laments the agency's inability to deliver necessary resources effectively. This situation draws parallels to a World War II dilemma: some generals excel at map reading, while others understand the realities on the ground. Just as hedgerows unseen on maps impeded tank advancements in France, FEMA's apparent disregard for local expertise in North Carolina's mountainous terrain has led to repeated setbacks.

Similar issues have surfaced elsewhere, including instances in Florida where FEMA was accused of bypassing homes displaying Trump signs based on questionable guidance from Washington "experts." A simple call to local authorities could have averted such missteps.

Back in North Carolina, locals are often left to handle critical tasks like winterizing campers, while FEMA grapples with providing adequate housing. The agency's struggles raise questions about its purported expertise and the capacity of states to manage disaster relief independently.

FEMA epitomizes the bureaucratic disconnect that President Trump aimed to address, shifting power away from Washington insiders and back to the American people. From COVID-19 to inflation, border control, and now FEMA, the expert class in D.C. has repeatedly fallen short.

The success of World War II, in part, stemmed from General Eisenhower's trust in ground-level leadership, contrasting with Hitler's rigid adherence to maps. This highlights a fundamental difference in perspectives: do we view Americans as needing constant guidance, or as capable individuals requiring support? While North Carolinians bear the brunt of FEMA's dysfunction, Trump and Vance have a chance to ensure future disaster responses prioritize on-the-ground knowledge over detached bureaucratic expertise.