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DHS to Fire FEMA Staffers Who Paid for Hotels to House Illegal Immigrants

Posted on Tuesday, February 11, 2025
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The Department of Homeland Security is firing four staffers at the Federal Emergency Management Administration for spending $59 million last week to house illegal immigrants in violation of the law.

“Effective immediately, FEMA is terminating the employment of four individuals for circumventing leadership to unilaterally make egregious payments for luxury NYC hotels for migrants,” a spokesperson for DHS told National Review Tuesday.

“Firings include FEMA’s Chief Financial Officer, two program analysts and a grant specialist. Under President Trump and Secretary Noem’s leadership, DHS will not sit idly and allow deep state activists to undermine the will and safety of the American people.”

The terminations come one day after NR learned that DHS was going to swiftly address the FEMA payments and fire the staffers involved for subverting leadership.

“As Secretary Noem said yesterday, we must get rid of FEMA the way it exists today. This is yet another egregious example. Individuals who circumvented leadership and unilaterally made this payment will be fired and held accountable,” a DHS official told National Review Monday.

Billionaire Elon Musk, head of President Donald Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency, said on X that his team discovered FEMA’s spending and will demand that the agency clawback the funds.

“The @DOGE team just discovered that FEMA sent $59M LAST WEEK to luxury hotels in New York City to house illegal migrants. Sending this money violated the law and is in gross insubordination to the President’s executive order,” Musk posted.

“That money is meant for American disaster relief and instead is being spent on high end hotels for illegals! A clawback demand will be made today to recoup those funds.”

National Review has reached out to FEMA for comment.

President Trump signed an executive order during the first week of his presidency to create a council to review FEMA operations and root out political bias from within the agency. His order followed a scandal involving a Florida-based former FEMA employee who ordered staff to avoid homes with Trump signage in the wake of Hurricane Milton. The fired employee, Marn’i Washington, later alleged that her order was consistent with FEMA policy and approved by higher ranking officials.

House Republicans held a hearing in November to address Washington’s directive and apparent issues FEMA had with providing relief to parts of North Carolina hit hardest by Hurricane Helene. Lawmakers grilled then-FEMA administrator Deanne Criswell on political bias inside FEMA, an issue she insisted was not widespread beyond Washington’s case, and asked her to address specific issues constituents were having with receiving hurricane relief.

House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer (R., Ky.) said during the hearing that a whistleblower came forward with another allegation of political bias against FEMA employees involving the home of Trump supporters in Georgia.

Last month, Trump visited Hurricane Helene survivors in North Carolina and strongly criticized FEMA’s response to the natural disaster. Trump floated getting rid of FEMA entirely and sending emergency funds to state governments to handle future recovery efforts.

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, responsible for overseeing FEMA, made similar comments Sunday after facing a question about how she would advise Trump to handle FEMA.

“I would say yes get rid of FEMA the way it exists today,” Noem said.

“We still need the resources and the funds and the finances to go to people that have these types of disasters like Hurricane Helene and the fires in California but you need to let the local officials make the decisions on how that is deployed so it can be deployed much quicker and we don’t need the bureaucracy that’s picking and choosing winners,” Noem added.

Trump’s executive order calls for a review council to hold its first meeting within 90 days and prepare a report within 180 days on what changes should be made to FEMA.

Reprinted with permission from National Review by James Lynch.

The opinions expressed by columnists are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of AMAC or AMAC Action.

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Lieutenant Beale
Lieutenant Beale
1 month ago

They should be fired. These are the same clowns that left the victims of Hurricane Helene high and dry in the Carolinas whom had to endure sub freezing tenperatures with no utilities or adequate shelter. Help from FEMA is only now coming in after Trump was elected. What a disgrace the previous administration has been.

Stev
Stev
1 month ago

Doesn’t Illegal mean they should be arrested, charged and face trial?

Roseann Carpenter
Roseann Carpenter
1 month ago

I love the staff that did the payout got fired, but I love the “claw it all back” by Elon that I love best. Also, if these characters broke the law, what about the DC jail. The J6ers did so much less and spent years there.

mine
mine
1 month ago

Those staffers should be prosecuted! Also – who outside if FEMA was in on this? Follow the money. Then shut down FEMA

Michael J
Michael J
1 month ago

How about some names and their sponsors to go with their terminations.

Richard
Richard
1 month ago

What about firing those who refused helped to hurricane victims with Trump campaign signs?
As someone who served six years in a volunteer fire department, FEMA needs to have an administrator who is familiar with disaster planning such as a retired fire chief. FEMA should not be a political dumping ground.

BreckH
BreckH
1 month ago

If this is housing illegals then this is where ice should be picking them up!

charliehorse
charliehorse
1 month ago

Arrest the four who think they can circumvent the orders of the POTUS.

johnh
johnh
1 month ago

Was this done without approval by the upper management in FEMA? If not, who approves spending such a large amount? I suspect Biden was aware of this?

Robert Zuccaro
Robert Zuccaro
1 month ago

Fired? Like Lois Lerner was? Oh, you mean “services dismissed with cause” and given a sweet six-figure parachute retirement package. They should be brought up on charges of misappropriation of funds… which is what they did but I suppose if you charge them, you’d have to charge every DC bureaucrat!

Thinking
Thinking
1 month ago

The government employees think they are the boss and act accordingly. They didn’t have to listen to Biden after all he wasn’t in charge. He was just a puppet on a string and Obama was the puppet master. That is why the people voted to empty the swamp. And the only one strong enough to do that is Trump. The dems weaponized and politicized all the depts in the federal govt with the mandate follow only dems orders. It’s a coup. Jan 6 was a walk in the park compared to what is going on in the halls of the govt. today. Maxine Watters thinks the congress pays the salaries of the federal employees. No lady not the congress and not you. We the taxpayers pay those salaries including yours. Congress has no money. You only decide where it goes to and how much on the proposals of the president. And you still fight that instead of doing something good for the country. You are demonstrating and screaming in the streets because you support wasteful spending of our tax dollars. 77.3 million people voted against that policy of yours. Pack up your signs shut your mouth and start working at making this country great and solvent again.

Philip Seth Hammersley
Philip Seth Hammersley
1 month ago

Our new department leaders need to FIRE all those who refuse to obey lawful orders. But you can bet the DIMMs will forum shop and find some crooked Biden or Obama judge who will “reinstate” them. Hope this issue gets to SCOTUS soon so the Constitutional authority of DJT and his cabinet are affirmed!

Steve
Steve
1 month ago

GOOD!!!!! Now, after firing them, ARREST THEM for theft!!!!! They stole MY tax money!!!!! #MAGA

Corythack
Corythack
1 month ago

Hopefully the termination of the FEMA persons responsible for breaking the law and giving away $59 M to ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS HOUSING AND FANCY HOTELS…will send a Strong message that the American people are fed up with having OUR MONEY taken from Us and being given to NON- CITIZENS!! Give OUR money back to us!

MAGA2025
MAGA2025
1 month ago

Bravo——————-FEMA is a joke

Donutdon
Donutdon
1 month ago

I’m sorry , but going after the staffers is not the bottom line here. It’s the people who gave and authorized the orders who need the pink slip and prosecution for mis-management of funds. You don’t grab the minion and stop there. The only good in that is getting his voice as evidence against those in charge. FEMA, like nearly every agency in our govt. has fallen to graft, corruption and waste/failure. This kind of house cleaning will have to be both brutal and complete if we ever expect to get back to square one and do a restart. Then we have to work at keeping this from happening again….that’s the real hard job. The other side of the coin here is making sure congress does not have the capacity to make FEMA or any other agency a tool of their political aspirations. My guess there are some in congress who get benefits via a corrupted FEMA and I would expect they would be the ones screaming the loudest about these attempts at correcting the problem. The next step is to follow the money and see just who they are and put them out on the street.

jimconch
jimconch
1 month ago

From what I have read, these FEMA employees have misappropriated federal funds. That is tantamount to fraud and should be charged with such. They should be made to make restitution of the monies and be put in jail. Then the punishment would fit the crime.

Lokfan95
Lokfan95
1 month ago

The higher ranking officials also need to b fired, wo wre they?

Tony
Tony
1 month ago

The Democrat stench is deep and entrenched into the government and they do not care about any law…that was well advertised from FJB and cackling Harris who violated laws every damn day…

Joe
Joe
1 month ago

Common sense and decency is now in the White House. Changes are being made and it will take some time to clean up the mess the previous administration created.

Theresa Coughlin
Theresa Coughlin
1 month ago

good

BEA
BEA
1 month ago

Great, fire more of FEMA employees! The waste of taxpayer monies is unbelievable. Too upsetting for words.

Stephen Russell
Stephen Russell
1 month ago

Probe if done Nationwide

David
David
1 month ago

While they’re at it they can fire some rogue judges, district attorney and attorney general from New York.

Jack
Jack
1 month ago

Well they should pick up a couple of bus loads of illegals, send them back to wherever and get a refund for the rooms. This crap show started Nov. 5.

Granny26
Granny26
1 month ago

Make them pay all that money back, then dismantle FEMA. We have enough problems with illegals and they using OUR tax money. It needs to go for AMERICAN CITIZENS, not illegals.

kit
kit
1 month ago

they put americans behind criminal border jumpers!
could be treason?

Stev Williams
Stev Williams
1 month ago

Every time we turn around we find another example of Biden opening the taxpayer floodgates to welcome more illegals.

Donald King
Donald King
1 month ago

Long overdue!

Chris
Chris
1 month ago

About time.

Charlotte Mahin
Charlotte Mahin
1 month ago

The radical Marxists never follow the law and for the last several years, they could get by with it. There is a new sheriff in town who will uphold the law and that is exactly what 85 million citizens voted for. Thank God, Trump is in charge!

Sally
Sally
1 month ago

Good! I don’t agree with everything that’s being done to federal employees, but behind this 100%!

uncleferd
uncleferd
1 month ago

Hey, come on, folks… Everyone knows that government employees have an enormous intellectual edge over their non-governmental counterparts. In fact, it’s recently been reported that FEMA employees and congressional democrats have teamed up to achieve an optimized, personal, thermal equilibrium by wearing their boxer shorts OUTSIDE of their trousers! What a brilliant concept, and a marvelous adaptation to enhance the already-competitive state-of-the-art of advanced, pocket-billiard-related thermophysics. Highest Praise to these intellectual overachievers!!

Randall L. Beatty
Randall L. Beatty
1 month ago

Time to close down FEMA they are a disgrace but under the direction of President Trump and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, they will do what is right for the American People it is a shame what the other administration has done. Those in North Carolina got nothing but those in FEMA should be fired to give fancy hotels money to house illegals is just very sad I hope the agency is closed down and to make it a lot better the way it should be, to help those states in need ( North Carolina and California ) not on fancy hotels. FEMA has been doing this for a long time fire all that are responsible.

harry
harry
1 month ago

It appears that dems cannot accept an election. We have the Presidency, the 2 houses and the Supreme Court, along with a majority of the public. Yet, they think they can fight against us at every turn. I submit that it is THEY that can’t accept an election.

William Hodge
William Hodge
1 month ago

In two words, “You Gone”. And don’t let the door hit you. Or “go stand in the street while I start my car”.

Jimmy Alan Sanders
Jimmy Alan Sanders
27 days ago

Biden tried to destroy this country, Thank God he’s gone.

Bill on the Hill
Bill on the Hill
1 month ago

SHUT IT DOWN…Individual states in need of emergency services can be paid directly through the state dept., each state will be watched closely how the funds are spent, i.e. CA in particular, otherwise once again, money just disappears…
Bill… :~)

Gary Mayberry
Gary Mayberry
1 month ago

They were about to send the 59mil. How much have they already sent them?

Myrna
Myrna
1 month ago

The democrats ran the 2025 budget and assumed they could continue their administration even though there was a change election. Hope they cannot.

David
David
1 month ago

Sure, they’re fired NOW.
What has the Government “Accountability” Office been DOING?
What has Office of Management and Budget been DOING?
Is anyone AWAKE in DC? Maybe Congress needs to take back control of the Federal District and criminalize marijuana in the Nation’s Capital.

Sam
Sam
27 days ago

Finally!

PITTS
PITTS
27 days ago

We’re trying to send them back where they belong, and these A***les are paying for luxury hotel rooms for them. Let’s send all of them somewhere else and let them see how well they like it, and if anybody buys any kind of hotel rooms for them. Anybody want to bet on the outcome of that?

James D
James D
1 month ago

A seriously pared down “federal” FEMA office that would just be responsible for overseeing the funds that would be doled out to individual states for their own local (state level) FEMA office. That should remove a good deal of the corruption at least at the federal level!
We have illegals living in five-star hotels while there are still American taxpayers in NC and CA living without heat, running water and a roof over their heads! The fools that authorized these funds for illegals should be publicly hung!!!

teresa
teresa
1 month ago

it’s a disgrace!!!!!! why are they allowed to waste our good tax money on unlawful things. they should pay every sent back – and those who voted for the left should be help accountable. unbelieveable

Mike Noctor
Mike Noctor
1 month ago

Fireing Squad would be true justice!

Summer Sands
Summer Sands
1 month ago

And why are these individuals not being jailed? They deliberately disobeyed orders by the POTUS to not provide comfort to our enemies, these ILLEGAL ALIENS. This is sedition!

All of these “deep state” operatives must be rounded up and arrested for sedition and potentially full-blown treason. I am sick of these individuals getting away with their nonsense and conspiring to take our Country and ELECTED officials down. Treason might be tough to prove under the Constitution and our laws, but it may be warranted for some. We have way too many politicians and unelected “democrats” performing illegal and wrongful acts to deliberately give the finger to the POTUS’ directives. This needs to stop!

SEDITION is a federal offense involving advocating for the overthrow of the U.S. government. It can also include: 

Conspiring to oppose the government by force
Conspiring to prevent the execution of laws by force
Conspiring to seize government property by force
Organizing groups to overthrow the government
Circulating materials to overthrow the government
Causing insubordination among military members
Distributing materials that urge disloyalty to the military

Seditious conspiracy is covered in 18 U.S. Code § 2384.  These individuals should be tried and, if convicted, be fined a minimum of $10,000, imprisoned for 20 years, and banned from holding any office in the United States for not less than 5 years.  

TREASON is defined in the United States Constitution, Article III, Section 3 as conspiring, aiding, and/or abetting a foreign enemy of the U.S. It’s considered one of the most serious crimes against the U.S. and includes levying war against the U.S., adhering to enemies of the U.S., and giving aid and comfort to enemies of the U.S. Prosecutors must prove that the defendant committed one of the enumerated acts with the “specific intent to betray” the United States.

18 U.S.C § 2381, states that a person guilty of treason against the United States “shall suffer death, or shall be imprisoned not less than five years and fined under this title but not less than $10,000; and shall be incapable of holding any office under the United States.”

INSURRECTION is a violent revolt against the United States government or its laws. It can include incitement, providing assistance, or participation in the rebellion In short, insurrection is conspiring, aiding, or abetting a domestic enemy of the U.S.

18 U.S.C. § 2383 prohibits insurrection and rebellion against the United States. Section 3 of the 14th Amendment, also known as the Insurrection Clause, prohibits people who have engaged in insurrection from holding certain offices.

The penalty for insurrection in the United States can include up to 10 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, and permanent disqualification from holding any federal office. 

lynn whiting
lynn whiting
1 month ago

I would love to see this agency shut down immediately before any more shenanigans can be committed BUT there was no actual and immediate order given to stop funds distribution. Trump’s order was to hold a meeting to review ( to finish in 90 days ) and to report on findings within 180 days. Anyone know anything different? If this is true who actually told 4 employees not to give $ to hotels ?? If not – no grounds to fire??? Trump’s EO simply was to create council to investigate.

uncleferd
uncleferd
25 days ago

The arrogance and stupidity of some government employees is remarkable. I’m glad to know that President Trump is now addressing it.

anna hubert
anna hubert
27 days ago

There is a difference between to fire and been fired

Rep. Jake Auchincloss (D-MA), Alex Vindman and Ryan O’Leary outside the US Captiol on March 13, 2024 in Washington, DC.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) leaves the Democratic caucus lunch at the U.S. Capitol on March 13, 2025 in Washington, DC.
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