Rep. Scholten Statement on Trump Administration’s Retaliation Against FEMA Employees Who Criticized Agency Overhaul

August 28, 2025 Press Release WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, U.S. Representative Hillary Scholten released the following statement on the Trump Administration placing several Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) workers on administrative leave the day after they signed a letter criticizing the administration for its overhaul of the agency. The letter accuses President Trump of appointing unqualified leadership and undermining the agency’s work to respond quickly to disasters. “This is politically motivated retaliation, plain and simple,” said Representative Scholten . “President Trump is punishing public servants who have dedicated their lives to keeping us safe in emergencies for daring to speak out against him – a right they have as Americans. He is cultivating a culture of fear within our federal government that will ultimately make the American people less safe. At an agency as critical as FEMA, firing experienced disaster management professionals will get people killed, as we’ve just seen during the Texas floods this summer. Lives are on the line. The Trump Administration must answer to Congress immediately.” ### Issues : Congress