Unions and Nonprofits Sue Over FEMA Workforce Cutbacks by DHS

Coalition of Labor Groups and Governments Challenge FEMA Staff Cuts

Amid rising concerns about the agency's capacity to handle disasters, a broad coalition comprising major labor unions, nonprofit organizations, and local governments has launched a legal challenge against the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) decision to significantly reduce the workforce at the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The legal action, led by the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), and the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), was filed in San Francisco.

The coalition, represented by Altshuler Berzon LLP, Democracy Forward, Democracy Defenders Fund, Protect Democracy, and the Public Rights Project, filed a supplemental complaint asserting that the DHS's plan to cut FEMA's staff starting January 2026 is in violation of congressional safeguards. These safeguards are intended to maintain the agency's independence and ensure its capability to manage emergencies efficiently.

Among the plaintiffs are several prominent local governments, including the City and County of San Francisco, Santa Clara County, the City of Chicago, the City of Baltimore, Harris County, and King County. The complaint emphasizes that the planned workforce reduction would critically undermine FEMA's ability to prepare for and respond to emergencies, thereby jeopardizing public safety and property.

The supplemental complaint complements a lawsuit filed in April 2025 addressing similar actions under the Trump administration.

"Secretary Noem's attempts to dismantle FEMA are among the most egregious actions taken by this administration," noted AFGE National President Everett Kelley. "All Americans rely on the dedicated FEMA workforce, who dedicate their careers to helping people in their most desperate moments."

AFSCME President Lee Saunders echoed these sentiments, pointing out the critical nature of FEMA's work: "The administration's attacks on the workers who provide life-saving services during disasters are shameful and put lives across the country at risk."

Democracy Forward's President and CEO, Skye Perryman, highlighted the potential legal violations, stating, "The Trump-Vance administration's attempt to drastically reduce FEMA’s workforce ignores those congressional protections and appropriations laws, and threatens the agency’s ability to carry out its mission."

Amb. Norm Eisen (ret.), executive chair of the Democracy Defenders Fund, added, "We're going to court because slashing FEMA staffing means slower response, more confusion, and more families left to fend for themselves."

With communities reliant on FEMA's support, Danielle Leonard from Altshuler Berzon LLP stated, "Congress has been very clear that the federal government will not abandon communities facing disasters, and that DHS needs to keep its hands off of FEMA."