Federal judge rules Trump admin plan to cut FEMA workforce in half is unlawful

A federal judge ruled that the Trump administration’s directive to halve the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s workforce was unlawful, finding the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) illegally seized FEMA’s personnel authority. The court determined that DHS violated a federal law requiring it not to substantially reduce FEMA’s functions when it pushed for the cuts. The judge also faulted officials for deleting messages discussing the staffing cuts on the Signal app, presuming the lost information would have been unfavorable to the defendants.

• A federal judge ruled the Trump administration’s plan to cut FEMA’s workforce by half was unlawful.
• The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) was found to have unlawfully seized FEMA’s authority over personnel decisions.
• The ruling cited a federal law passed after Hurricane Katrina that prohibits substantial reductions in FEMA’s authorities, responsibilities, or functions.
• The judge noted the lack of reasoned decision-making for the cuts and the conditions placed on FEMA’s renewal authority.
• Unions argued the cuts would undermine FEMA’s disaster-response mission and were ordered improperly.
• The administration contended FEMA has flexibility in staffing, and President Trump suggested eliminating FEMA.
• The judge also criticized officials for using and deleting messages on the Signal app related to the staffing cuts.
• The court will address remedies and penalties in a separate ruling.