Trump administration launches investigation into FEMA workers who warned disaster agency was at risk

Source: msn/CNN

12h


The Trump administration has launched an internal investigation into FEMA employees who signed a public letter to Congress warning that the administration’s overhaul of the disaster relief agency is undermining emergency response and endangering the public.

As part of the probe, the agency has ordered the employees — who were placed on leave in August — to sign non-disclosure agreements and schedule interviews with investigators, according to five sources and internal emails reviewed by CNN. At least seven FEMA staffers received emails Tuesday from investigators at the Office of Professional Responsibility, which included the non-disclosure forms, the sources told CNN.

Of the more than 180 current and former FEMA staffers who signed the August letter, most did so anonymously. Only 36 signed publicly, though it is unclear how many were still employed at the time of its release. FEMA has not disclosed the total number of workers the agency placed on paid leave.

The emails indicate that the inquiry is not a criminal investigation and direct the FEMA employees to contact investigators for more information. Some were ordered to submit for interviews within 24 hours, even as they requested time to consult legal counsel, multiple sources said.

Read more: https://www.msn.com/en-us/politics/government/trump-administration-launches-investigation-into-fema-workers-who-warned-disaster-agency-was-at-risk/ar-AA1NaemX