Nearly 200 employees of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) sent an open letter to Congress on Monday, warning of the agency's weakening as a result of the Trump administration's decisions. The following day, several of them were suspended.
FEMA's ability to carry out its missions
In the letter, current and former FEMA workers accused Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, whose department oversees FEMA, of reducing "the [agency's] ability to carry out its missions" to affected populations.
Strict expense control rules
A major reason for this deterioration, according to employees, is FEMA's strict new spending control rules, decided by Mrs. Noem, requiring, among other things, her approval for any contract or grant exceeding $100,000.
Unqualified people at the helm of FEMA
The letter also accuses the Secretary of Homeland Security of placing unqualified people at the helm of FEMA. For example, in May, Ms. Noem appointed David Richardson - a Marine veteran with no experience in natural disaster management - to head the organization.
Some thirty employees suspended
Of those who signed the letter, only around 30 agreed to have their names included. As a result, "around 30" employees were suspended, reported the New York Times.
Forced paid leave
Several of them received emails informing them of their immediate placement on administrative leave, "while continuing to be paid and receive benefits", according to the Washington Post.
"Katrina Declaration"
The letter has been dubbed the "Katrina Declaration", in commemoration of the hurricane that devastated the southern United States 20 years ago. According to the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, this natural disaster in August 2005 claimed the lives of nearly 1,400 people.
Two decades of progress dismantled
FEMA's failure during the hurricane revealed major flaws in the federal emergency response system. This led Congress to enact reforms aimed at strengthening FEMA's independence and setting higher standards for its leadership. Now, according to the "Katrina Declaration", two decades of progress are being dismantled, as the Trump administration seeks to either abolish or drastically reduce FEMA's role.
Trump wants to abolish FEMA altogether
Since returning to the presidency in January, US President Donald Trump has repeatedly said he wants to abolish FEMA, saying he'd rather see US states "take care of their own problems".
DOGE budget cuts
About a third of FEMA's permanent staff has already left the organization this year, including many of the experienced executives who helped rebuild it after the 2005 hurricane, the letter states. This decline in the number of employees is explained in particular by the budget cuts ordered under the aegis of Elon Musk's DOGE commission.