FEMA Employees File Whistleblower Complaints--'Won't Be Silenced'

Source: Newsweek

Published Sep 06, 2025 at 5:00 AM EDT


Several employees of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) have filed whistleblower complaints after being put on administrative leave shortly after signing a public letter of dissent last week.

"I believe this is retaliatory behavior and is meant to silence and intimidate me and the rest of my coworkers," James Stroud, a statistician with FEMA, and among those who signed the letter and was subsequently placed on leave, told Newsweek. "I won't be silenced and I will continue to fight for what's right." Newsweek has contacted the Department of Homeland Security and FEMA for comment via email.

Why It Matters

More than 190 current and former employees of FEMA signed the letter, titled the Katrina Declaration, criticizing cuts to the agency and warning that the agency risks a catastrophe like the one seen after Hurricane Katrina. Thirty-five signed their names publicly, but the majority remained anonymous for fear of retribution. A day later, the Trump administration put many of the employees who signed their names on the letter on indefinite administrative leave.

Notices that informed employees about the decision said it "is not a disciplinary action and is not intended to be punitive." However, attorneys representing the employees say the action was retaliatory and a violation of federal whistleblower protection laws.

Read more: https://www.newsweek.com/fema-employee-whistleblower-complaint-2124403