From Politico: Trump appointee raised alarm about FEMA’s ‘increased operational risk’

“In an internal memos earlier this year, a senior official at the agency urged immediate action to alleviate “workforce strain” and other problems.A Trump administration official warned colleagues that the Federal Emergency Management Agency faces “increased risk” due to “workforce strain” and a growing number of disasters, according to internal documents reviewed by POLITICO’s E&E News.

The series of memos — written in January and February by FEMA’s communications chief, a political appointee — appear to validate widespread concern about the ability of the nation’s disaster agency to help areas hit by storms, floods, wildfires and other disasters.

President Donald Trump has assailed FEMA since taking office last year, cutting both agency staff and programs that have given states billions of dollars to protect against natural disasters. The administration has expressed concern only recently about FEMA’s ability to function, as Trump officials blame Democrats in Congress for a partial shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security, which oversees FEMA.”