The US Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has reportedly suspended a number of staff who criticized the agency's direction under US President Donald Trump.
The staff are said to have been among those who recently signed an open letter that castigated Trump officials over cuts and alleged interference, warning that another 'national catastrophe' akin to Hurricane Katrina was possible.
More than 20 employees were told on Tuesday that they had been put on administrative leave, according to sources who spoke to the BBC's US partner, CBS News.
Asked by the BBC for a comment, a FEMA spokesperson stated that the agency's obligation was to survivors of disasters, 'not to protecting broken systems.'
The spokesperson also remarked: 'It is not surprising that some of the same bureaucrats who presided over decades of inefficiency are now objecting to reform.' They emphasized that change is difficult, particularly for those invested in the status quo.
This development comes amid increasing scrutiny of US disaster readiness following deadly flooding in Texas and actions taken during Trump's time in office. Reports indicate that hundreds of FEMA employees, approximately a third of the workforce, have left their positions this year for various reasons.
The letter, signed mostly anonymously, reflects upon the 20th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, highlighting the urgent need for effective disaster management leadership in the U.S. It criticized the Trump administration for budget cuts, workforce reductions, and the perceived censorship of climate science.
The letter included demands for protections against alleged interference by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and a halt to 'politically motivated firings.' The intent was to prevent not only another disaster similar to Hurricane Katrina but also the potential dissolution of FEMA itself.
In response, a FEMA official defended the agency's commitment to delivering for the American populace while claiming it was previously hindered by bureaucratic inefficiencies. They did not disclose information regarding the status of the DHS's response to the concerns raised in the letter.
Amidst these suspensions, the North Atlantic hurricane season is underway, raising expectations that FEMA will face increased demands as climate change contributes to heightened disaster risks.
