Whistleblowers from various levels of emergency management have accused FEMA of misappropriating funds and failing to adequately respond to the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene, which has severely impacted the Southeast. In a letter to DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) outlined allegations that FEMA withheld crucial pre-disaster aid and left first responders without deployment orders, resulting in many sitting idle in hotels while affected Americans struggle. The controversy is heightened by Mayorkas's admission that FEMA is running short on funds, with reports indicating that over $1 billion intended for disaster relief has been redirected to aid illegal immigrants. Gaetz demands transparency regarding the allocation of FEMA funds, questioning the prioritization of aid for non-citizens over American disaster victims. The situation has drawn widespread criticism, with over 200 fatalities reported and many citizens seeking assistance after losing their homes. The ongoing scrutiny of FEMA's management raises concerns about its effectiveness during critical emergency responses.