FEMA Faces Criticism Over Mismanagement Claims By Whistleblowers

Recent allegations from whistleblowers have raised questions about FEMA’s management in the wake of Hurricane Helene, with U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) stepping forward to address these concerns. In a letter to Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, Gaetz shared insights from whistleblowers across various emergency-management levels, pointing to critical issues within the agency.
“My office has been in contact with whistleblowers in numerous emergency-management functions,” Gaetz stated, indicating that the problems were widespread. He accused FEMA of wasting taxpayer money and mismanaging resources, resulting in service members from the Department of Defense being deployed but left waiting for FEMA’s orders.
The letter also criticized FEMA for withholding pre-disaster aid, which has made emergency responses even more challenging. Gaetz noted that many FEMA employees were stationed in hotels, waiting for deployment, while NGOs were reportedly using FEMA funds for airline tickets for migrants.
As Mayorkas acknowledged the agency’s funding shortfalls, he emphasized that FEMA lacks the financial resources to continue operating through the hurricane season. “FEMA does not have the funds to make it through the season,” he stated, referencing the challenges posed by Hurricane Helene.
The financial strain on FEMA has been attributed to significant allocations made to support illegal immigrants. For instance, FEMA allocated substantial amounts to the Shelter and Services Program (SSP), which aims to provide services to noncitizens, raising concerns about the agency’s priorities during disaster situations.
At a rally in Michigan, former President Donald Trump criticized Vice President Kamala Harris, accusing her of misallocating FEMA funds for illegal migrants instead of prioritizing hurricane victims. “There’s nobody that’s handled a hurricane or storm worse than what they’re doing right now,” he said, drawing attention to the ongoing frustrations surrounding FEMA’s response.