Judge Says Move to Cut FEMA Staff Is Unlawful

By the Editorial Team · Monday, September 14, 2026

A federal judge ruled that the Trump administration’s effort to cut FEMA’s workforce by half was unlawful due to a lack of proper justification. This decision halts drastic staff reductions that critics say have weakened FEMA’s ability to respond to disasters, with negotiations on relief terms ordered by October 9.

A federal judge has ruled that the Trump administration’s plan to halve the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s workforce was unlawful, deeming the reduction effort “arbitrary and capricious.” U.S. District Judge Susan Illston of the Northern District of California issued the decision on Friday, finding that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) lacked proper justification for the proposed staff cuts.

The administration’s proposal aimed to eliminate over 11,000 FEMA employees by the end of September, including thousands of temporary full-time workers who support disaster preparedness and recovery efforts nationwide. These temporary employees, known as Cadre of On-Call Response/Recovery (CORE) staff, account for roughly 40 percent of FEMA’s workforce. CORE members typically serve two- to four-year assignments, often renewed to accommodate fluctuating disaster response needs.

Judge Illston criticized the staffing reduction plan, stating that the numbers appeared to be “pulled from thin air” and undermined FEMA’s operational authority. Although the full 50 percent reduction was never fully implemented, FEMA’s workforce has already diminished significantly under the Trump administration.

The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), a labor union representing federal workers, had challenged the DHS plan in court, arguing that such drastic cuts would severely impair FEMA’s capacity to respond to emergencies. A FEMA spokesperson emphasized on Saturday that the agency is focused on maintaining workforce stability and preserving a “strong, deployable force” for upcoming national events and potential disasters. Neither DHS nor the AFGE immediately responded to requests for comment.

The reduction of CORE employees became a particular focus under Kristi Noem, the former DHS secretary who was removed by President Trump in March. According to a FEMA spokesperson, the number of CORE workers is intended to fluctuate based on disaster activity, operational needs, and available funding.

The workforce cuts at FEMA reflect a broader trend within the Trump administration to shrink federal government agencies. President Trump has publicly expressed a desire to diminish FEMA’s role, suggesting that responsibility for disaster response should be transferred to individual states.

Concerns about the impact of these reductions have been raised by a federal watchdog, which reported that the cuts have hindered FEMA’s ability to respond effectively to simultaneous natural disasters, including hurricanes. FEMA Administrator Cameron Hamilton acknowledged in June that the reductions posed challenges to disaster readiness across the country.

Judge Illston has ordered the parties involved to meet and negotiate the terms of relief by October 9. Should an agreement not be reached, the court will issue a ruling to specify the appropriate remedies.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.