Jens Asbjørn Bøgen
The plan was to cut the work force of the agency in half.
A federal judge in San Francisco has declared that the Trump administration broke the law by attempting to slash the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in half, Reuters reported on September 12.
U.S. District Judge Susan Illston ruled that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) unlawfully stripped FEMA of its authority over its own workers, steering the agency to cut thousands of disaster response roles.
Under legislation passed in 2006 following Hurricane Katrina in 2005, Homeland Security “may not substantially or significantly reduce [FEMA’s] authorities, responsibilities, or functions.”
Erasing disaster workers
The dispute began when department officials blocked FEMA from extending temporary contracts for thousands of on-call reservists who deploy during emergencies, according to court documents cited by Reuters.
Illston criticized the move sharply in her decision, noting that federal leaders showed no valid reasoning for the sudden shift in policy.
“There is no evidence in the record reflecting reasoned decision-making for this about-face or for the subsequent conditions DHS placed on FEMA’s renewal authority,” Illston wrote.
Secret texts deleted
Labor unions representing government workers pushed back with a lawsuit, arguing that former Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem lacked the authority to dictate internal staffing choices.
Fox News notes that although President Donald Trump has previously suggested abolishing FEMA altogether, agency staff projected next year’s headcount at just 11,383 employees without explaining the number.
This number is roughly half of prior levels.
Adding to the controversy, Illston issued a separate ruling faulting officials for using the encrypted app Signal on personal devices to discuss the job cuts before deleting the messages.
Fighting over relief
Legal groups representing the workers celebrated the court finding, emphasizing that emergency management relies on steady leadership.
Skye Perryman, chief executive of Democracy Forward, noted that “Congress created FEMA to operate with independence, given its mission to prepare and respond quickly when disasters arise.”
Government representatives pushed back against safety concerns, maintaining that leadership remains fully prepared for future severe weather events.
“Under President Trump and [DHS] Secretary [Markwayne] Mullin’s leadership, DHS and FEMA are ready for the 2026 hurricane season,” a spokesperson told The Hill, adding that key positions remain fully staffed.
