A gaggle of present and former Federal Emergency Administration Company (FEMA) workers warned Monday that the Trump administration is weakening the catastrophe response company’s capability and stopping it from finishing up its mission.
The 181 present and former staffers significantly pointed to an administration coverage requiring Homeland Safety Secretary Kristi Noem to conduct a “personal review and approval of all contracts, grants and mission assignments over $100,000.”
They mentioned this “reduces FEMA’s authorities and capabilities to swiftly deliver our mission.”
“Consequences of this manual review became tragically clear during the July 2025 floods in Kerrville, Texas, when mission assignments were delayed up to 72 hours; FEMA’s Urban Search and Rescue Branch Chief resigned, citing these delays as cause,” the staffers wrote.
Additionally they lamented there is no such thing as a appointed chief helming the company and mentioned its present chief shouldn’t be certified for the place.
The letter comes because the Trump administration has floated the concept of eliminating the company altogether, and has usually sought to decrease its position whereas putting extra duty on states.
The staffers mentioned such insurance policies are making issues worse.
“Cuts to these programs prioritize the appearance of cost reduction and empowerment of SLTT [State, Local, Tribal, and Territorial] partners but will result in an opposite outcome,” they wrote.
“When we cannot work directly with our SLTT partners in providing training and technical assistance, we lose critical opportunities to maintain trust, strengthen systems, improve preparedness, and serve the American communities we swore an oath to protect at the moments of their most dire need,” they added.
The Hill has reached out to FEMA and the Division of Homeland Safety for remark.
