Federal Judge Rules DHS Plan to Cut FEMA Workforce in Half Is Unlawful

NewsData.io · United States · Sep 14, 2026

A federal judge ruled that the Department of Homeland Security acted unlawfully in planning to reduce FEMA's workforce by more than 11,000 employees — roughly 50% — by end of September 2026. U.S. District Judge Susan Illston called the staffing reduction plan 'arbitrary and capricious,' noting it would have eliminated thousands of temporary CORE employees who make up about 40% of FEMA's staff. While the full cut was not ultimately executed, FEMA's workforce had already shrunk significantly, with a federal watchdog report finding the reductions limited disaster response capacity. The court ordered parties to negotiate relief terms by October 9.