Summary
The Department of Homeland Security stated that 14 FEMA employees who were put on leave were mistakenly allowed to return to work without proper authorization. These employees had earlier signed a petition criticizing the government's handling of disaster response efforts. After the error was discovered, the employees were placed back on administrative leave.
Key Facts
- 14 FEMA workers were put on leave after signing a petition against the government's disaster response.
- The petition raised concerns about cutbacks affecting disaster relief work, referencing past failures like Hurricane Katrina.
- DHS confirmed the employees were mistakenly reinstated to their jobs.
- The reinstatement was unauthorized and quickly corrected.
- The workers returned to leave after senior leadership intervened.
- Complaints were filed with the U.S. Office of Special Counsel regarding this situation.
- President Trump has previously considered shifting FEMA's responsibilities to individual states.
- There's been a broader trend under President Trump to make firing federal employees easier.
