Some employees of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) who signed the public opposition speech earlier this week were placed on an administrative leave on Tuesday evening, according to the documents reviewed by the Associated Press.
More than 180 existing FEMA employees signed the previously sent to the FEMA and Congress on Monday criticizing the recent discounts on the agency and programs staff, and warned that FEMA’s ability to respond to a major disaster had decreased dangerously.
Thirty -five people fell their names, while 141 fell unknown for fear of revenge.
The Associated Press confirmed that at least two sites received notifications on Tuesday evening to inform them that they would be placed on an indefinite leave with the wage, and that they still have to check every morning to confirm their availability.
It was not clear what the situation is for the other signers.
The notification said that the decision “is not a disciplinary action, and it is not intended to be punitive.”
Fema did not immediately answer questions about the number of employees who received the notice and whether it was linked to the opposition message.
“Once again, we see the federal government divided against civil service employees for speaking,” said the non -profit group in February, in the aftermath of the extensive cuts on the federal service.
Some Fema staff have been reset for the ice
The message included six “opposition’s statements” for the current policies in FEMA, including the approval policy of expenditures that the Minister of Internal Security Christie sleeps with the approval of contracts exceeding $ 100,000, and the signatories said that the signers reduce the ability of FEMA to perform its mission.
He also criticized the decision of the Ministry of National Security to re -set some FEMA employees to the application of immigration and customs (ICE), and the failure to appoint a FEMA qualification official as it provides for the law, reduce mitigation programs, and the preparation and workforce in FEMA.
Trump and Nayyem have repeatedly indicated their desire to reform, if not completely, the 46 -year -old Fema. While there is support from the two parties to reform the agency, experts say its dismantling will leave the gaps completely in services, important financing and financing.
Nearly 2000 FEMA employees, or a third of the workforce, left the agency this year through fire, acquisitions or early retirement. The Trump administration also plans to reduce about one billion US dollars in granting grants.
Trump said he wanted to “give fewer money” and “give it directly”, avoid Fema programs.
Disaster response is already re -responding and managed by the state, but Fema supports through the coordination of resources from federal agencies, providing directly assistance programs for families and transferring money to states to repair public infrastructure.
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Fema, or even changing the amount of costs that they share with the states in the event of a major disaster declaration, will require a procedure from Congress, including the amendment of the 1988 Stafford Law, which determines the roles and responsibilities of the FEMA and the cost share between the federal government and the states.
In an email on Monday, Fema spokeswoman Daniel Laghores said that the Trump administration “made accountability and reform priority until taxpayers dollars reach the people and societies aimed at help.”
“It is not surprising that some of the same bureaucrats who have headed for decades now object to the incompetence of reform,” said Largoyez. “Change is always difficult.”
Employees of other agencies, including the National Health and Environment Agency, issued similar data. About 140 Environmental Protection Agency employees have been placed on an administrative leave to sign an opposition letter.
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