WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution, led U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), and Ed Markey (D-Mass.) in calling on the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Inspector General (IG) to investigate all complaints the IG has received regarding FEMA. In their letter, the Senators raise concerns about allegations that DHS has retaliated against FEMA whistleblowers.
“Since January 2025, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has lacked sufficient leadership, failed to respond to congressional inquiries, and appeared to retaliate against staff engaging in protected activities,” wrote the Senators. “This is unacceptable. To help us understand the full scope of FEMA and DHS’ actions, we write to request a briefing regarding all complaints you have received related to FEMA since January 2025.”
The Senators continued: “FEMA has gone without a Senate-confirmed Administrator since President Trump took office, fueling widespread employee uncertainty and policy whiplash. President Trump’s temporary picks to lead FEMA—David Richardson and Karen Evans—both lack the legally required emergency management experience to serve as the Acting Administrator of FEMA. Moreover, DHS Secretary Kristi Noem has expressed a desire to ‘eliminate FEMA’ and reportedly made plans to cut nearly half the agency’s staff this year. A prolonged deficiency of steady, competent leadership—combined with consistent attacks undermining the integrity of the agency—underscores the importance of whistleblower complaints in revealing the truth.”
The Senators highlight how FEMA also appears to be illegally retaliating against staff who stand up to the Trump Administration: “In August 2025, FEMA leadership placed fourteen FEMA staff on leave after they signed a letter addressed to Congress warning of the Trump Administration’s erosion of our country’s disaster response capacity. In November 2025, these employees were notified that they were being reinstated. On December 1, hours after returning to work, these employees were again placed on leave for alleged ‘misconduct.’ As you know, it is illegal to retaliate against whistleblowers at federal agencies. Whistleblower intimidation and retaliation have a chilling effect on others coming forward, compromising FEMA’s ability to address misconduct and improve the disaster preparedness systems that are essential to protecting Americans’ lives.”
The Senators also highlight how FEMA has obstructed Congress’ oversight responsibilities by failing to respond to bipartisan congressional letters: “We have sent FEMA a series of unanswered letters—as have our Republican and Democratic colleagues—since President Trump took office in January 2025. FEMA and DHS’ failure to respond to our letters is an abdication of their responsibilities under the law and to the American people.”
Read and download the lawmakers’ full letter to DHS Inspector General Cuffari.
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