FEMA workers reinstated after criticizing Trump administration, only to be suspended again by DHS leaders

In a surprising turn, the Trump administration on Monday reinstated administrative leave for over a dozen FEMA employees, just hours after CNN reported they had returned to the agency following a three-month investigation into alleged misconduct. The staffers were initially placed on leave in August for signing a sharply worded open letter to Congress, called the Katrina Declaration, which cautioned that changes to FEMA could endanger American lives.

The Department of Homeland Security, FEMAs overseeing body, confirmed the decision Monday afternoon. A DHS spokesperson stated, CNN reporting revealed that 14 FEMA employees previously placed on leave for misconduct were reinstated without authorization by officials acting beyond their authority. Once this was brought to light, senior leadership promptly reversed the reinstatement. The 14 staffers who signed the Katrina Declaration are now back on administrative leave.

The statement continued, This Administration will not tolerate unauthorized actions or resistance to change. Federal employees must follow lawful directives, uphold agency standards, and serve the public.

Just last week, FEMA had sent the employees notices of reinstatement. One email, reviewed by CNN, stated, The misconduct investigation has been closed, and you are being removed from Administrative Leave. A supervisor informed one staffer that although they had not followed policy, they were protected by the whistleblower act. Some employees had already returned to work, while others were expected to rejoin their teams this week.

On Monday afternoon, new notices arrivedalmost identical to the August lettersplacing the employees back on administrative leave. David Seide, senior counsel for the Government Accountability Project representing some staffers, said, The decision to reinstate the workers was made by senior career management at FEMA. It is shocking to see political actors override their considered decisions.

The situation began in August when more than 190 current and former FEMA officials signed the Katrina Declaration, warning Congress that dismantling FEMA could jeopardize American lives and risk a federal disaster response failure akin to Hurricane Katrina. While most signers remained anonymous, a few current employees publicly signed their names and were subsequently placed on paid leave.

FEMA launched formal investigations in September, interviewing the outspoken staff. Earlier in the summer, the Trump administration had already suspended or dismissed over 100 EPA employees for similar acts of dissent. By mid-November, one FEMA worker received a termination notice, while others remained on leave. After appeals, these employees were told last week they could return, according to multiple sources.

DHS did not answer questions before CNNs initial report on Monday morning. Some reinstated employees, however, feared further retaliation. Abby McIlraith, a FEMA emergency management specialist, said on Sunday, I dont think its over yet. Its still unfolding. But I know I did nothing wrong, so I feel vindicated and glad to return to work and see my colleagues again.

Author: Sophia Brooks