FEMA, charged with preparing for and responding to floods, fires, hurricanes and other disasters, reportedly saw funds paused and employees dismissed while Noem led Homeland Security. A senior official told CNN it could take "a decade to fix what they broke," and warned the nation would be vulnerable if a major disaster struck soon.
Kristi Noem appointed Karen Evans as FEMA Deputy Administrator; employees nicknamed her "The Terminator" amid sweeping cuts to grants, contracts and personnel. Evans was later removed and temporarily replaced by Robert Fenton. A FEMA spokesperson thanked Evans for her service and noted she would continue contributing in a new DHS role.