FEMA Suspends Over 30 Staff Over Letter Criticizing Trump Administration Cuts

Over 180 current and former FEMA employees, marking the 20th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, signed a public letter warning that the Trump administration's cuts, leadership choices, and policy changes threaten to replicate the disaster response failures of 2005. The letter, known as the Katrina Declaration, criticized the administration for politically motivated firings, censorship of climate science, and insufficient funding that undermine FEMA's ability to respond effectively to natural disasters. In retaliation, approximately 30 to 35 employees who signed the letter, many publicly, were placed on administrative leave, raising concerns about illegal whistleblower retaliation. The suspended employees included those actively involved in recent disaster relief efforts, and advocacy groups have condemned the suspensions as unlawful. The Trump administration has characterized FEMA as inefficient and suggested states are better suited to manage disaster response, with some reports indicating a significant workforce reduction at FEMA since January 2025. The letter urged Congress to protect FEMA from political interference and restore its capacity to handle national emergencies effectively.