Trump Administration Cuts FEMA Workforce, Raising Concerns Over Disaster Response

The restructuring effort, led by Elon Musk, targets climate-related programs and faces bipartisan criticism over potential risks to emergency management capabilities.

The Trump administration has initiated layoffs at FEMA, with approximately 200 employees notified of termination, primarily those in probationary roles.
The restructuring, part of a broader government efficiency campaign, includes plans to eliminate staff involved in climate, equity, and environmental justice projects.
Critics, including Republicans and state officials, worry the cuts will hinder FEMA's ability to manage increasingly severe and frequent natural disasters.
Some Republican lawmakers, including Senators Ted Cruz and Bill Cassidy, have defended FEMA's role while calling for reforms instead of drastic reductions or elimination.
The administration's proposal to shift disaster response responsibilities to individual states has raised concerns about uneven preparedness and resource allocation.