Dozens of species of snakes, geckos, and other reptiles were welcomed at the Western North Carolina Agricultural Center, where visitors could learn about and meet the reptiles and purchase exotic animal products.

( NewsNation) — President Donald Trump kicked off his first cross-country tour of his second term Friday, visiting disaster areas in North Carolina and California before heading to Nevada on Saturday for a rally.

President Donald Trump promised rapid recovery efforts and significant federal support for North Carolina after Hurricane Helene devastated parts of the state. Speaking during a briefing at an airport fire and rescue facility in Fletcher on January 24,

FLETCHER, N.C. — President Donald Trump said Friday that he was considering “getting rid of” the Federal Emergency Management Agency, offering the latest sign of how he is weighing sweeping changes to the nation's central organization for responding to disasters.

President Donald Trump proposed eliminating the Federal Emergency Management Agency during a Friday visit to Helene-ravaged Western North Carolina.

President Trump is taking the first trip of his term on Friday to North Carolina and California, visiting communities grappling with recovery from natural disasters.

FLETCHER, N.C. (AP) — Trump says he's considering 'getting rid of FEMA' as he visits hurricane-damaged North Carolina.

President Donald Trump on Friday met with local officials in western North Carolina towns still recovering from Hurricane Helene, accusing the Biden administration of not doing enough to get aid where it’s needed, vowing to speed up recovery efforts and threatening to shut down the Federal Emergency Management Agency altogether.

President Trump is taking the first trip of his term on Friday to North Carolina and California, visiting communities grappling with recovery from natural disasters.

"We're looking at the whole concept of FEMA," Trump told reporters Friday after Air Force One touched down in Asheville, North Carolina.

President Donald Trump said he's considering "getting rid of" FEMA as he hit the road for the first time since his second inauguration, visiting victims of Hurricane Helene and the California wildfires.