More than 4,300 FEMA employees left as the agency cut staff without a readiness plan
Departures rose 55% from fiscal 2024; GAO says FEMA made 2025–26 staffing decisions without measuring them against mission needs.
FEMA averaged 25,134 employees in fiscal 2025. Agency officials told GAO that the departures depleted institutional knowledge and experienced personnel, worsening longstanding workforce problems.
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Pentagon completed 17 of GAO’s 79 priority recommendations since May 2025
GAO’s June 2026 review leaves the Defense Department with 53 priority recommendations still open, concentrated in military readiness, weapons acquisition and modernization, and financial and fraud-risk management.