Federal judge rules Trump admin plan to cut FEMA workforce in half is unlawful
A federal judge ruled DHS unlawfully seized the Federal Emergency Management Agency's authority over staffing and pushed thousands of job cuts.
TL;DR
- A federal judge ruled the Trump administration's plan to cut FEMA's workforce by half was unlawful.
- The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) was found to have unlawfully seized FEMA's authority over personnel decisions.
- The ruling cited a federal law passed after Hurricane Katrina that prohibits substantial reductions in FEMA's authorities, responsibilities, or functions.
- The judge noted the lack of reasoned decision-making for the cuts and the conditions placed on FEMA's renewal authority.
- Unions argued the cuts would undermine FEMA's disaster-response mission and were ordered improperly.
- The administration contended FEMA has flexibility in staffing, and President Trump suggested eliminating FEMA.
- The judge also criticized officials for using and deleting messages on the Signal app related to the staffing cuts.
- The court will address remedies and penalties in a separate ruling.