FEMA workers who sounded alarm over nation's disaster preparedness reinstated
Fourteen FEMA employees who signed a public letter criticizing the nation's disaster preparedness were reinstated after eight months on paid administrative leave. The workers, who were the only active FEMA staff to publicly identify themselves in the 'Katrina Declaration,' had raised concerns about policies under the Trump administration. Their return to work follows leadership changes at the Department of Homeland Security and efforts to stabilize the agency ahead of major upcoming events.
- ▪Fourteen FEMA employees were reinstated after being on paid administrative leave since August 2025 for signing a public letter criticizing disaster preparedness policies.
- ▪The letter, called the 'Katrina Declaration,' was signed by over 190 current and former FEMA employees and criticized multiple Trump administration policies at DHS and FEMA.
- ▪Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin reversed previous restrictive spending policies and released over $1 billion in backlogged FEMA grants after taking office.
- ▪The reinstated employees were briefly returned to work in December but were placed on leave again after one day due to internal bureaucratic issues.
- ▪FEMA remains without a permanent administrator, and the agency continues to face challenges from a prolonged DHS funding gap.
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ABC NewsLiveVideoShowsGood Morning AmericaShopGMAInterest Successfully AddedWe'll notify you here with news aboutTurn on desktop notifications for breaking stories about interest? OffOnStream onFEMA workers who sounded alarm over nation's disaster preparedness reinstatedFourteen FEMA employees who signed a public letter criticizing the nation's disaster preparedness have been reinstated after eight months on paid leaveByGABRIELA AOUN ANGUEIRA Associated PressApril 30, 2026, 5:26 PM1:34FILE - Sen. Markwayne Mullin, R-Okla., speaks with reporters on the steps at the Capitol in Washington, Thursday, March 5, 2026. (AP Photo/J.
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