FEMA Reinstates Employees Following Policy Criticism

Fourteen FEMA employees have been returned to duty this week after an eight-month period of paid leave. The workers were originally placed on leave after signing a dissent letter last year criticizing agency policies and contract extensions. Homeland Security Secretary Mark Wayne Mullen confirmed the investigation into the employees is now closed. The reinstatement occurs as the agency prepares for the upcoming Atlantic hurricane season and the FIFA World Cup in June. The employees had previously signed a public letter criticizing the nation's disaster preparedness. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is inviting former employees to return to their positions. Some workers were dismissed at the end of last year, while others were placed on administrative leave after signing an open letter denouncing drastic budget cuts within the agency. Some employees expressed relief at returning, but others noted that the weakening of FEMA during the first year of Donald Trump's second mandate may be permanent. The agency is also extending contracts for other workers whose terms were nearing expiration. FEMA stated it is taking these steps to stabilize operations.