Overview

• 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.