US court blocks Trump administration plan to cut disaster agency workforce
News Source
β’Sat, 12 Sep 2026 19:49:29 +0000
π° What Happened
A US federal judge has blocked the Trump administration from cutting jobs at FEMA, the agency that answers disasters. Judge Susan Illston in California said the Department of Homeland Security did not have the right to make those changes.
The case is about thousands of temporary FEMA workers. They are called in to help after hurricanes, floods and wildfires. Labour groups sued to stop the government from ending their contracts.
π The Backstory
FEMA became more independent after Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Congress changed the law so the agency could act on its own. The law says the Department of Homeland Security cannot take away FEMA's powers.
The Trump administration has argued FEMA needs to be smaller and more focused. The judge said the government did not give a reasoned explanation for the cuts.
π― Why It Matters
FEMA helps people when storms and fires destroy their homes. Fewer staff could mean slower help after the next big disaster.
A US federal judge has blocked the Trump administration from cutting jobs at FEMA, the agency that answers disasters. Judge Susan Illston in California said the Department of Homeland Security did not have the right to make those changes.
The case is about thousands of temporary FEMA workers. They are called in to help after hurricanes, floods and wildfires. Labour groups sued to stop the government from ending their contracts.
FEMA became more independent after Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Congress changed the law so the agency could act on its own. The law says the Department of Homeland Security cannot take away FEMA's powers.
The Trump administration has argued FEMA needs to be smaller and more focused. The judge said the government did not give a reasoned explanation for the cuts.
FEMA helps people when storms and fires destroy their homes. Fewer staff could mean slower help after the next big disaster.