FLETCHER, N.C. (WLOS) — Community members gathered in Fletcher, N.C., for the annual Repticon on Jan. 25. 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.

President Donald Trump is visiting western North Carolina on Friday in what will be his first trip since retaking the White House. The 47th president is set to visit the Asheville area as the region continues to recover from the devastating effects of Hurricane Helene.

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,

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. — 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 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.

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.

Trump and First Lady Melania Trump arrived in Asheville, North Carolina, around 10 a.m. on Friday, making stops in Fletcher and Swannanoa. The president spoke alongside local residents and politicians before departing for California later in the afternoon to visit areas affected by wildfires.