Politics

FEMA Employees on Leave After “Katrina Declaration” Warns of Trump-Era Disaster Response Failures

FEMA put employees on leave after they warned Congress of disaster response failures under Trump’s overhaul.

August 27, 2025, 5:32 PM

A U.S. Coast Guardsman looks down from a helicopter at a flooded neighborhood in New Orleans

A U.S. Coast Guardsman conducts a search and rescue mission over a flooded New Orleans neighborhood in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. By Petty Officer 2nd Class NyxoLyno Cangemi, U.S. Coast Guard - Public Domain, via Wikimedia Commons.

Executive Summary

FEMA has placed several employees on administrative leave after they signed the “Katrina Declaration,” an open letter warning Congress about the Trump administration’s extensive overhaul of the agency.

The “Katrina Declaration” alleges that President Donald Trump’s administration is undermining FEMA’s capabilities, eroding critical post-Katrina reforms, and appointing unqualified leadership, potentially leading to catastrophic failures.

This incident underscores growing concerns within federal agencies regarding political interference and administrative overhauls, signaling a deepening divide over FEMA’s future direction and operational independence.

The Story So Far

The ongoing events at FEMA are a direct consequence of the Trump administration’s extensive overhaul of the agency, which has led employees to fear that its capabilities are being undermined through political interference and unqualified appointments. This concern is particularly acute given that the “Katrina Declaration” alleges these changes are eroding critical reforms established after the failed response to Hurricane Katrina, leading to warnings of potential catastrophic failures in disaster response.

Why This Matters

The administrative leave of FEMA employees after they warned of the Trump administration’s overhaul potentially leading to catastrophic disaster response failures signals a concerning trend of political interference and the suppression of dissent within critical federal agencies. This action could severely compromise the nation’s ability to effectively respond to future emergencies by undermining established reforms and professional expertise, reflecting broader tensions between career staff and administrative reform efforts across government.

Who Thinks What?

FEMA employees who signed the “Katrina Declaration” believe that the Trump administration’s extensive overhaul of the agency is undermining its capabilities, appointing unqualified leadership, and eroding critical post-Katrina reforms, warning of potential catastrophic failures in disaster response.

A FEMA spokesperson asserts that change is necessary and expected to face opposition from those invested in the “status quo,” maintaining that the agency’s primary obligation is to disaster survivors, not to “protect broken systems.”

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has placed several employees on administrative leave after they signed an open letter warning Congress that the Trump administration’s extensive overhaul of the agency could lead to catastrophic failures in disaster response. The letter, dubbed the “Katrina Declaration,” alleges that President Donald Trump and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem are undermining the agency’s capabilities and appointing unqualified leadership.

Allegations in the “Katrina Declaration”

The “Katrina Declaration” specifically accuses the Trump administration of ignoring FEMA’s congressionally mandated authority and eroding critical reforms established after the failed response to Hurricane Katrina. It calls for the agency to be shielded from political interference and for its workforce to be protected from politically motivated dismissals.

More than 180 current and former FEMA staffers signed the letter, though the majority chose to remain anonymous, with only 36 signing publicly.

FEMA’s Response

A FEMA spokesperson acknowledged that some opposition to reform is expected, stating that “change is hard, especially for those invested in the status quo.” The spokesperson further maintained that FEMA’s primary obligation is to disaster survivors, not to “protect broken systems.”

However, the “Katrina Declaration” warns that the administration’s actions aim to either abolish or drastically shrink FEMA’s role, potentially unraveling critical post-Katrina reforms. The letter suggests these changes could severely impact the agency’s ability to respond effectively to future emergencies.

Broader Context

This move by the Trump administration echoes a similar action taken earlier in the summer when approximately 140 employees from the Environmental Protection Agency were suspended. These incidents highlight ongoing tensions between career staff and the administration’s reform efforts across various federal agencies.

The administrative leave of FEMA employees following their public warning underscores growing concerns within federal agencies regarding political interference and the potential impact of administrative overhauls on critical government functions. The “Katrina Declaration” and the agency’s response signal a deepening divide over the future direction and operational independence of FEMA.