Disaster Accountability Alert: Trump Administration Retaliates Against FEMA Employees Raising Alarm About Dangerous Cuts Leaving Communities Unprepared
WASHINGTON, DC — Sabotaging Our Safety is condemning the Trump administration’s reported retaliation against government whistleblowers who warned about the dangerous cuts to disaster preparedness that leave Americans vulnerable to catastrophic failures. This action showcases how this administration is wielding the power of government to target and intimidate public servants who work to keep Americans safe.
“The Trump administration is now coming after the very FEMA employees who did their job and sounded the alarm on the administration’s dangerous cuts and neglect of disaster preparedness. Just as they are on nearly every issue across the board, the administration is using the government to target people who speak up and call out the administration’s reckless actions,” said former Director of Public Affairs of FEMA Rafael Lemaitre. “As communities nationwide face an increasing number of climate-related disasters, we need experienced leadership and a fully funded FEMA. Instead, we have an agency led by someone whose only apparent qualification is his loyalty to the president – even at the cost of his own staff.”
Last month, nearly 200 FEMA employees signed a letter warning that the Trump administration’s gutting of disaster response is leaving the country vulnerable to a catastrophe similar to Katrina. Following the letter’s release, the Trump administration placed more than a dozen FEMA employees on leave after they signed an open letter of dissent about the agency’s leadership. The letter, sent to members of Congress and the FEMA Review Council, comes as the country faces an “above-normal” hurricane season and massive cuts to FEMA staff and funding.
Since taking office, the Trump administration has systematically dismantled America’s emergency response capabilities when citizens need help most. Trump proposed eliminating FEMA entirely, then slashed 20% of FEMA staff and froze critical emergency funds. He cancelled FEMA’s flood protection program, eliminating $4.6 billion in funding nationwide.
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