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More than 4,300 FEMA employees left as the agency cut staff without a readiness plan

Political Guyentist · August 5, 20261 min read

GAO

Departures rose 55% from fiscal 2024; GAO says FEMA made 2025–26 staffing decisions without measuring them against mission needs.
Figure 1Figures

One in six of the agency, out the door in a year

Departures rose 55% from fiscal 2024. GAO says FEMA made its 2025 and 2026 staffing decisions without comparing capacity against mission needs.

Left the agency
4,300
employees departed in fiscal 2025 — the count is a floor, not a total
Average headcount
25,134
employees on average across fiscal 2025
The numbers
One in six of the agency, out the door in a year
MeasureEmployeesNote
Left the agency4,300employees departed in fiscal 2025 — the count is a floor, not a total
Average headcount25,134employees on average across fiscal 2025
Source: Government Accountability Office, GAO-26-108427POLI

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