Ranking Member Thompson Statement on Trump Administration’s Continued Plans to Decimate FEMA Workforce
(WASHINGTON) – Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security, denounced the Trump administration on news reports it’s planning to further decimate the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s workforce.
“The American people should be alarmed that, over the past year, Donald Trump and Kristi Noem have left FEMA completely rudderless with no permanent leadership and 2,000 of its full-time employees have left or been pushed out because of this administration’s mismanagement and disastrous policies. Now, we are hearing reports that Secretary Noem is planning to eliminate more than half of the remaining workforce – a completely irresponsible move that would make the Agency unable to handle one major disaster, much less the multiple that often occur during hurricane season.
“Even considering cuts of this scale is more evidence of the Trump administration’s reckless and dangerous behavior and sends a clear message that the administration is willing to gamble with Americans’ lives and violate Federal law that Congress passed to ensure readiness for disasters.
“FEMA’s workforce is not expendable. These are the professionals responsible for disaster response, recovery, and preparedness to support Americans when they are at their most vulnerable. The Trump administration’s continued efforts to weaken FEMA through drastic staffing reductions undermines public safety and the resilience of the entire country.”
# # #
Previous Article