Institute of Politics

From Hurricane Katrina to the LA fires, as the frequency of disasters rises with the changing climate, their politicization amplifies at an even faster pace. Most recently, we saw Democrats playing the blame game after the Los Angeles fires, insidious social media campaigns to undermine FEMA in North Carolina, and the Trump administration threatening to abolish the disaster agency. But the politics of disaster relief span decades. Come hear stories from Katrina to Helene and beyond from those who know it best. Featuring Michael Brown, Director of FEMA during Hurricane Katrina, Carol Pritchett, Mayor of Lake Lure, North Carolina, and Justin Ángel Knighten, IOP Pritzker Fellow and former associate administrator at FEMA. Moderated by IOP Executive Director Zeenat Rahman. Dinner served. If you have any questions about accessibility, please contact iopevents@uchicago.edu. Tuesday, April 15, 2025 5:30 p.m. CDT Ida Noyes Hall, Cloister Club