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Staffers who signed ‘Katrina Declaration’ critical of Trump administration are reinstated at FEMA
The agency ordered the 14 staffers back after months on leave as new leadership rolls back Noem-era policies ahead of hurricane season.
- On Thursday, April 30, 2026, FEMA reinstated at least 15 whistleblowers who were placed on indefinite administrative leave eight months ago after signing the "Katrina Declaration," a public letter criticizing administration disaster preparedness policies.
- Former Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem placed the employees on leave last August after they signed the letter warning that administration policies and staffing cuts risked a catastrophe on the scale of Hurricane Katrina.
- Employees received instructions Wednesday to return to work Thursday morning; FEMA statistician James Stroud reported to headquarters and said the reinstatement felt "weird" after eight months of paid leave doing nothing.
- Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin is rolling back Noem-era policies, including a $100,000 spending approval requirement, to stabilize the agency ahead of the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season and FIFA World Cup.
- The Trump-appointed FEMA Review Council will present recommendations next week proposing sweeping changes to the agency, as officials work to restore staffing before hurricane season begins in 30 days.
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FEMA workers who sounded alarm over nation's disaster preparednes
The Federal Emergency Management Agency has moved to address staffing issues that triggered concern and uncertainty among and about its workforce, including reinstating employees put on leave for publicly opposing agency policies, and extending contracts for some workers whose terms were set to expire soon. Fourteen FEMA employees who signed a public letter of dissent last August sounding alarms about the nation’s disaster preparedness were rein…
·Baltimore, United States
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The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) reinstated a group of employees who had been suspended for publicly warning about shortcomings in the country's disaster preparedness.
Coverage Details
Total News Sources60
Leaning Left12Leaning Right9Center32Last UpdatedBias Distribution60% Center
Bias Distribution
- 60% of the sources are Center
60% Center
L 23%
C 60%
R 17%
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