The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has suspended several employees who criticized budget cuts and alleged political interference under President Donald Trump, according to reports. The suspended staff were reportedly among those who recently signed an open letter warning that Trump administration policies could lead to another “Hurricane Katrina-like disaster.”
More than 20 employees were reportedly put on leave. 191 employees had signed the letter, with most of them remaining anonymous.
The letter reflected on Hurricane Katrina on its 20th anniversary, and pointed out that the storm had claimed more than 1,800 lives. It highlighted the need for competent American disaster-management leadership, and criticized the Trump administration for cuts to the agency’s funding and workforce, the failure to appoint a permanent agency boss and other issues including the perceived “censorship of climate science.”
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“I’m disappointed but not surprised,” said Virginia Case, a supervisory management and program analyst, and one of the employees who have been put on leave. “I’m also proud of those of us who stood up, regardless of what it might mean for our jobs. The public deserves to know what’s happening, because lives and communities will suffer if this continues,” she added. Workers who are placed on leave “will conduct no business, visit no FEMA/DHS facility and contact no FEMA/DHS personnel,” according to an email to FEMA employees reviewed by CNN.
The letter addressed the Federal Emergency Management Agency Review Council, and made demands, including a defense against “interference” from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and an end to “politically motivated firings.” A FEMA official responded saying it was committed to delivering for the American people and had previously been “bogged down by red tape” and other inefficiencies.
There has been a renewed scrutiny of U.S. disaster-readiness following the recent floods in Texas. Trump had gone about overhauling the disaster management agency soon after he took office, characterizing the agency as “inefficient.” He even floated the idea of “maybe getting rid of FEMA altogether” as he suggested that state-level officials were better placed to respond to natural disasters.
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Around 2,000 FEMA employees — a third of its workplace — have left the agency this year through firings, buyouts or early retirements. The Trump administration also plans to cut about $1 billion in grant funding.
FEMA had faced intense scrutiny following the catastrophic flooding of Texas that left over 120 people dead. According to a CNN report, FEMA’s response to the flooding was hampered by bureaucratic bottlenecks, including a controversial new rule by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem that requires her personal approval for all contracts and grants over $100,000.
Critics argue that such red tape is stalling critical aid when speed is essential. Former and current FEMA officials told NBC News that the relatively small geographic area affected means it’s not a true test of what the agency is capable of during disasters.