Exclusive: FEMA firings reveal roiling tension and confusion within the Department of Homeland Security

One week into the Trump administration, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem issued a directive that the Federal Emergency Management Agency should stop sending money to non-governmental organizations that she characterized as helping “illegal aliens.”

One week into the Trump administration, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem issued a directive that the Federal Emergency Management Agency should stop sending money to non-governmental organizations that she characterized as helping “illegal aliens.” But the memo didn’t address money that flowed to state and local governments, fueling confusion at the agency charged with administering federal payments related to migrant housing. FEMA personnel were directed to continue sending those payments. This week, four FEMA employees, including its chief financial officer, were fired and accused by the Department of Homeland Security of circumventing leadership. And more than $80 million in federal grant money to New York City to help shelter migrants was clawed back. The internal back and forth that led to the firings, details of which have not been previously reported, reflects the turmoil at FEMA, as well as a level of tension that has developed between career officials at the agency and top political appointees at DHS. A Homeland Security spokesperson maintained that while payments to state and local government funding were permitted, the money shouldn’t be going to non-governmental organizations providing services to migrants and argued the fired officials deceived higher ups. The program in question is explicitly intended to assist those providing shelter and aid to migrants. FEMA officials who spoke with CNN said that guidance wasn’t clear and that the lump sum went directly to the New York City government.