FEMA survives push for drastic cuts, but staffing problems remain

The Federal Emergency Management Agency is no longer facing a Trump administration effort to eliminate it, according to former acting administrator David Richardson. Richardson, who led FEMA for much of 2025, said the administration’s focus shifted toward reform rather than shutting down the agency.

Efforts to reduce FEMA’s staffing and spending have worsened existing understaffing and delays in distributing disaster recovery money, according to current employees. A Government Accountability Office report also raised concerns about whether the agency has enough staff.

The administration’s attempts to cut FEMA have faced court challenges. A court blocked an effort to end a major disaster-preparedness grant program, and temporary workers who were terminated are suing the agency; FEMA began rehiring many of them this summer.

Read the full story at NPR.