U.S. District Judge Susan Illston ruled that a Trump administration plan to halve FEMA's workforce violated the law, finding that the Department of Homeland Security unlawfully usurped the agency's authority over its own personnel, according to CNBC.
Key facts
- U.S. District Judge Susan Illston issued the ruling.
- The judge wrote that the Department of Homeland Security acted unlawfully.
- The judge said DHS usurped FEMA's authority over its own personnel.
- The case concerned a Trump administration plan to halve FEMA's workforce.
- The ruling was reported by CNBC on 12 September 2026.
A U.S. federal judge has ruled that a Trump administration plan to cut the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s workforce in half violated the law, according to CNBC.
U.S. District Judge Susan Illston wrote that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security acted unlawfully by usurping FEMA’s authority over its own personnel, CNBC reported.
CNBC’s report does not detail the immediate practical consequences of the ruling or whether the administration intends to appeal.
Why it matters
The ruling represents a legal check on the administration's effort to reduce the size of FEMA, with the court concluding, according to CNBC, that the Department of Homeland Security acted unlawfully in seeking those cuts.
Frequently asked questions
Who issued the ruling against the FEMA workforce plan?
U.S. District Judge Susan Illston issued the ruling, according to CNBC.
Why was the plan found to be unlawful?
The judge wrote that the Department of Homeland Security acted unlawfully by usurping FEMA's authority over its own personnel, according to CNBC.
What did the plan propose to do?
The plan sought to halve FEMA's workforce, according to CNBC's reporting.