Trump's plan to halve FEMA workforce illegal, judge rules

A federal judge recently declared unlawful the Trump administration's plan to cut staffing at FEMA, the agency responsible for responding to disasters, by 50%. This decision came as a victory for labor groups who had challenged the plan. The judge, Susan Illston, noted that top Homeland Security officials directed FEMA to submit a staffing plan with the 50% cut, despite objections from FEMA's own supervisors.

Illston stated that the FEMA staffing plan seemed to be arbitrarily chosen and that the Department of Homeland Security had no authority to reduce FEMA's functions. The judge did not specify a remedy but ordered the parties to discuss potential solutions. Although the 50% cuts were ultimately not implemented, several mass layoffs and departures had already occurred at FEMA under the Trump administration.

FEMA has faced issues such as disruptions of grant programs and delays in disaster aid. In May, a FEMA Review Council recommended a strategic review to determine appropriate staffing levels instead of the proposed 50% reduction. The Government Accountability Office also highlighted the loss of institutional knowledge due to the significant workforce departures in 2025.