FEMA Employees Placed on Leave

More than 180 current and former employees of the United States — Federal Emergency Management Agency signed a public letter of dissent, critiquing recent cuts to agency staff and programs, and warning that United States — Federal Emergency Management Agency's capacity to respond to a major disaster was dangerously diminished. Following this, some signatories were placed on administrative leave indefinitely with pay. The letter specifically opposed policies such as Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem's requirement to approve contracts exceeding $100,000, the United States — United States Department of Homeland Security's decision to reassign United States — Federal Emergency Management Agency employees to United States — United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and cuts to mitigation programs and the United States — Federal Emergency Management Agency workforce. The Donald Trump administration defended its actions, stating a priority for accountability and reform. Similar dissent and administrative leave actions have been reported at other agencies like the United States — National Institutes of Health and the Guyana — Guyana Environmental Protection Agency.