FEMA is welcoming back 15 whistleblowers placed on leave during Kristi Noem's tenure

Politics NewsFEMA is welcoming back 15 whistleblowers placed on leave during Kristi Noem's tenureThe decision to allow the employees to return to work marks the latest sign of the new DHS leadership breaking from the more aggressive policies pushed by Noem.Listen to this article with a free account00:0000:00The Federal Emergency Management Agency in Washington, D.C.Kayla Bartkowski / Getty Images fileShareAdd NBC News to GoogleApril 30, 2026, 2:34 PM EDTBy Laura StricklerFEMA has welcomed back at least 15 whistleblowers who were placed on indefinite administrative leave in August after signing a public letter protesting moves by the since-ousted Department of Homeland Secretary Kristi Noem.Subscribe to read this story ad-free Get unlimited access to ad-free articles and exclusive content.The decision to allow the employees to return to work marks the latest sign of the new DHS leadership breaking from the more aggressive policies pushed by Noem, who was replaced last month by Markwayne Mullin, R-Okla. DHS confirmed the decision in an email exchange with Sen. Andy Kim, D-N.J., and one of the whistleblowers told NBC News he received the news Wednesday. The move comes a month before hurricane season is set to begin.A FEMA spokesperson said Thursday the agency does not comment on specific personnel actions or cases, but acknowledged that the agency was "addressing outstanding personnel actions." “As we approach the 2026 hurricane season and the FIFA World Cup, FEMA is taking targeted steps to stabilize our workforce and strengthen readiness," the spokesperson said. "Under new leadership, FEMA is addressing outstanding personnel actions to ensure workforce stability and a strong, deployable surge force for upcoming national events and potential disasters. FEMA remains committed to operational readiness for all major challenges in 2026.”The 15 employees were among those who signed a letter in August, known as The Katrina Declaration, complaining that agency staff wer...