Disaster Management
FEMA overhaul proposal spotlighted by bipartisan lawmakers
Supporters testified that the FEMA Act would help disaster survivors and local governments more easily access assistance.
FEMA, OMB noms grilled on alleged political sway in government assistance
Democratic senators pointed to disparities between what states are approved to receive disaster funding as well as a proposal to require that political appointees approve grant awards to ensure they advance the president’s priorities.
FEMA is not ready for hurricane season due to Trump upheaval, House Democrats argue
The administration has recently reinstated some disaster staffers to promote readiness.
Trump taps former FEMA official ousted after defending agency
Cameron Hamilton, who was removed after publicly opposing efforts to eliminate FEMA, would return to lead the agency as the administration pushes states to take on a larger disaster response role.
FEMA should employ fewer staff and offer aid to fewer individuals, Trump’s council recommends
The changes come after the president proposed an overhaul, or outright elimination, of the disaster response agency.
FEMA brings back employees it recently let go as it looks to 'stabilize' its workforce
The emergency response agency made the decision ahead of hurricane season, and as a judge is demanding more information on the dismissals.
FEMA came up with a goal to cut half its staff without a plan to get there, records show
The total was prescribed by DHS officials and sent to the White House.
Former FEMA administrator reflects on tumultuous time for ‘people-first’ agency
Deanne Criswell, who led the agency under former President Joe Biden, said critics who want to shift responsibility to states and localities use a “lazy way” to characterize its mission.
DOJ contradicts FEMA on who approved mass firings
"I don't have a great explanation for that," a DOJ lawyer says when asked to clarify in court.
Officials warn disaster response at risk as former and current FEMA leaders clash in court over mass staff cuts
Recent FEMA execs say the current leadership does not understand how the agency actually works.
Despite court order, a critical FEMA program remains frozen
Months after a judge ordered the Trump administration to restore climate adaptation grants, FEMA insiders say the agency hasn’t budged.
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Turmoil at FEMA adds to the revolt against Kristi Noem
The homeland security secretary has all but halted the agency’s disaster spending.
Lawsuit seeks to stop FEMA from cutting its workforce in half
Staff reductions at the disaster agency were put on hold last week, as it faced the recent winter storm.
Some FEMA employee layoffs put on hold, while reform council renewed
The pause in reducing Cadre of On-Call Response and Recovery (CORE) employees comes as the U.S. faces a winter storm.
Democrats decry reports that Trump will further slash FEMA's workforce
Leaked documents show FEMA could cut thousands of employees, though the agency says no final decisions have been made.
Major meeting on FEMA overhaul recommendation suddenly shelved
The scheduled gathering of the FEMA review council was supposed to include "a public vote on the draft final report" outlining recommendations about the future of the federal agency, but was abruptly canceled Thursday.
FEMA’s terrible, horrible, no good, very bad year
On its third acting administrator this year, the disaster management agency has faced workforce cuts, leadership instability and an uncertain future in the Trump administration.
‘Where is this so-called efficiency?’ Current and former FEMA employees protest Trump overhauls to disaster agency
Federal Emergency Management Agency employees who publicly signed a letter criticizing the Trump administration’s changes to the agency have been on administrative leave since August.
Which agencies do Americans think are doing a good job?
Recent surveys have shown that how Republicans and Democrats view federal agencies has switched since Donald Trump became president again.
Disparities emerge in FEMA disaster assistance after Hurricane Helene
An analysis of FEMA housing assistance following Hurricane Helene reveals that higher-income households in North Carolina's rural counties received more aid, raising concerns about equity in disaster relief distribution.
