Overview
- The Government Accountability Office reported Tuesday that FEMA made large workforce cuts and proposed further reductions without analyzing current staff or forecasting future needs.
- Office of Personnel Management data show FEMA pushed out about 6,400 employees since President Donald Trump took office, and the agency is now trying to hire roughly 350 workers it calls a priority.
- FEMA submitted a late‑2025 staffing plan to DHS that would cut the agency to about 11,383 employees despite program and regional offices recommending roughly 23,000 roles.
- The agency rescinded its strategic plan in May 2025, has had four acting administrators since January 2025, and the current nominee, Cameron Hamilton, remains unconfirmed, leaving leadership and planning gaps.
- GAO urged Congress to require formal workforce planning and pre‑season reporting to fix readiness shortfalls as rising storm frequency and past 2024 response failures heighten the risk to communities and recovery efforts.