FEMA hiring overhaul drives fears of agency dismantling
The decision to reshape the hiring process for the agency's disaster relief foot soldiers comes just months before hurricane season.
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The decision to reshape the hiring process for the agency's disaster relief foot soldiers comes just months before hurricane season.
The cancellation of courses at National Fire Academy comes as the federally funded institution was set to welcome a new set of fire safety officers for training next week.
The chief financial officer at FEMA was fired after Elon Musk alleged she illegally sent funds to New York City to book luxury hotels for migrants. However, in an interview with CBS Evening News co-anchor Maurice DuBois, Mary Comans says a member of DOGE directed her to make the payments. DuBois joins "America Decides" with the latest.
"They told me to do these actions, to make these payments, and then they fired me," said Mary Comans, who was FEMA's chief financial officer.
Former FEMA CFO Mary Comans, who was fired in February by the Trump administration for sending payments to New York City to cover hotels for migrants, says she was following DOGE's directions. Comans speaks out for the first time since her firing in an exclusive interview with "CBS Evening News" co-anchor Maurice DuBois.
A FEMA-funded buyout program only provides 75% of the funding for the city to buy affected properties at fair market value, while the remaining share is absorbed by sellers.
After meeting with the White House border czar on Thursday, Mayor Eric Adams says he agreed to allow ICE agents onto Rikers Island to find violent criminals.
People on both sides of the political aisle think the Federal Emergency Management Agency needs to change, but could President Trump's plan to address issues worsen things? Sophia Cai, White House reporter for Politico, and Fin Gómez, CBS News political reporter, join "America Decides" to discuss.
As President Trump visited Los Angeles and met victims who lost their homes in the area's historic wildfires, he suggested that the future of FEMA is uncertain. The damage caused by the Palisades and Eaton fires is now estimated at up to $275 billion. Elise Preston reports.
President Trump is traveling to natural disaster areas for his first official trip outside of Washington, D.C., since taking office earlier this week. CBS News White House reporter Willie James Inman has more on Trump's plans for the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
The president said the Federal Emergency Management Agency has been too bureaucratic and slow in its response to disasters.
President Trump said Friday he was planning to sign an executive order that could lead to an overhaul, or elimination, of the Federal Emergency Management Agency. "Face the Nation" moderator Margaret Brennan examines what this could mean. She also discusses why Mr. Trump removed the federal security detail for Dr. Anthony Fauci.
President Trump spoke at a briefing in Los Angeles on Friday after touring wildfire damage. He pledged to surge federal resources to the Golden State to help with its recovery efforts.
President Trump suggested getting rid of the Federal Emergency Management Agency and letting individual states coordinate disaster responses. Former FEMA regional administrator Thomas Sivak joins "The Daily Report" to discuss its role after major disasters and if individual states can pick up the slack.
Firefighters are still working to contain blazes that have erupted in Southern California. Tom LoBianco, national politics reporter for 24sight News, and Maeve Reston, national political reporter for The Washington Post, join "America Decides" to discuss President Trump's visit to the state Friday to survey the destruction.
During week one of the new Trump administration, the president initiated a strict border crackdown, greenlit fossil fuel exploration and more. CBS News' Camilo Montoya-Galvez and Weijia Jiang join "America Decides" to recap the first days of Trump's return.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom greeted President Trump and first lady Melania Trump in Los Angeles on Friday for their tour of areas impacted by wildfires. CBS News White House reporter Willie James Inman has more.
FEMA and the Los Angeles Fire Department are ramping up efforts to counter false rumors and misinformation spreading online about the wildfires.
Face the Nation Moderator Margaret Brennan speaks with the head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency about the devastating wildfires in Southern California.
Thousands of Los Angeles homeowners do not have home insurance. Several private insurers in California have either raised prices or completely removed their coverage in at-risk areas. Business Insider senior sustainability reporter Catherine Boudreau joins "The Daily Report" to discuss.
Republican Rep. Rich McCormick of Georgia joins "America Decides" to discuss if he will support the Republican's new spending deal.
Congressional leaders have unveiled a stopgap bill to keep the government funded through March 14, 2025. CBS News congressional correspondent Nikole Killion has the latest from Capitol Hill.
Increasingly intense wildfires have become more common in California, upending the lives of thousands. Many insurers are dwindling coverage options, leaving several homes in danger. Business Insider senior sustainability reporter Catherine Boudreau joins "The Daily Report" to discuss.
The U.S. faced an unprecedented 179 disasters in 2024, according to FEMA, affecting millions of Americans and wiping out some towns. CBS News' Nicole Sganga spoke with FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell about these catastrophes and the dwindling funds to help those affected.
The head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency testified before the House Oversight Committee on Tuesday about the agency's response to hurricanes Helene and Milton and its future funding. CBS News congressional correspondent Scott MacFarlane has the details.
Democrats say they are considering Republicans' "last and final" offer to end the DHS shutdown. Follow live updates.
President Trump on Thursday extended a pause on striking Iranian energy infrastructure until April 6.
Deposed Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro and his wife are set to appear Thursday in federal court in Manhattan.
President Trump announced the extension of the pause "per Iranian government request."
MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, Florida, is home to U.S. Central Command, U.S. Special Operations Command and the Air Force's Air Mobility Command.
Justice Department lawyers said in the memo that it was a "regrettable error" to cite the memo in monthslong litigation.
The TSA's top official says the situation at U.S. airports could get even worse if the partial government shutdown that has frozen officers' paychecks continues.
DOJ plans to turn over voter data it's collecting from states to DHS for use in immigration and criminal investigations, sources say.
Here's what to know about peptides, what they can and can't do, and what's driving viral claims about possible health benefits online.
President Trump announced the extension of the pause "per Iranian government request."
Experts say the rulings could expose tech companies to more litigation and pressure them to make changes to their apps.
RNC representatives toured the American Airlines Center last month.
MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, Florida, is home to U.S. Central Command, U.S. Special Operations Command and the Air Force's Air Mobility Command.
DOJ plans to turn over voter data it's collecting from states to DHS for use in immigration and criminal investigations, sources say.
Experts say the rulings could expose tech companies to more litigation and pressure them to make changes to their apps.
As oil prices surge, some experts are urging consumers to take energy-conserving steps like working from home or driving less.
Sen. Elizabeth Warren's bill would raise taxes on households worth more than $50 million and on billionaires.
The U.S. Postal Service is raising some postage prices to help offset the federal agency's rising transportation costs as fuel prices surge.
With Social Security's trust fund sliding toward insolvency, one group wants to cap benefits for the wealthiest U.S. couples.
As AI use rises, many see it decreasing the number of jobs available.
President Trump announced the extension of the pause "per Iranian government request."
RNC representatives toured the American Airlines Center last month.
MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, Florida, is home to U.S. Central Command, U.S. Special Operations Command and the Air Force's Air Mobility Command.
An amendment that would require voters to show photo identification to cast a ballot failed to advance in the Senate on Thursday.
Here's what to know about peptides, what they can and can't do, and what's driving viral claims about possible health benefits online.
Dr. Jay Bhattacharya, head of the National Institutes of Health and interim leader of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, told staff a permanent CDC director could be nominated soon. "I know that it has been such a difficult year," he said.
Federal health officials posted a warning about misleading statements by biotech billionaire Dr. Patrick Soon-Shiong about his company's bladder cancer drug Anktiva.
Doctors fear that skepticism, fueled by anti-science sentiment and mistrust, is extending beyond vaccines to other proven, routine care.
Transit Officer Paul DeGeorge thought his son was lying on him. Then he realized something much scarier was happening.
Marine biologists found detectable levels of caffeine, cocaine and the over-the-counter painkillers in the blood of 28 sharks.
Transgender women athletes are now excluded from women's events at the Olympics after the IOC agreed to a new eligibility policy on Thursday.
Russia is providing intelligence support to Iran in the Middle East war to "kill Americans," Kaja Kallas said Thursday.
The Syrian man has been identified as a terrorist threat by the U.S. for belonging to Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah.
Twin mountain gorillas were recently born in the Virunga National Park, renowned for its biodiversity but threatened by conflict.
Camila Morrone, who stars in the series "Something Very Bad Is Going to Happen," speaks to "CBS Mornings" about the show, what intimidated her about the horror genre, and working with the Duffer brothers.
(Spoilers ahead) "CBS Mornings" reveals shocking details about the latest "Survivor" elimination ceremony.
Oscar-winning filmmaker Peter Jackson announced on Wednesday that "The Late Show" host Stephen Colbert will co-write the next "Lord of the Rings" movie. "The Late Show" airs its final episode in May.
Major League Baseball's "robot umpire" made its debut in the season-opening New Yankees-San Francisco Giants game in Oracle Park.
A newly released video shows the police interactions with Taylor Frankie Paul in 2023 that led to charges, including domestic violence in the presence of a child. CBS News Shanelle Kaul has the latest.
As AI use rises, many see it decreasing the number of jobs available.
New research from the Society of Human Resource Management shows which regions and jobs are most at risk from artificial intelligence. Johnny Taylor, president and CEO of SHRM, joins CBS News to discuss the findings.
From labor shortages to environmental impacts, farmers are looking to AI to help revolutionize the agriculture industry. One California startup, Farm-ng, is tapping into the power of AI and robotics to perform a wide range of tasks, including seeding, weeding and harvesting.
Experts say the rulings could expose tech companies to more litigation and pressure them to make changes to their apps.
Meta and YouTube were found liable on all charges in a landmark social media addiction trial. CBS News' Jo Ling Kent reports.
Marine biologists found detectable levels of caffeine, cocaine and the over-the-counter painkillers in the blood of 28 sharks.
Here's what to know about peptides, what they can and can't do, and what's driving viral claims about possible health benefits online.
The staff at a Florida sea turtle hospital is monitoring some animals they've rehabilitated from space -- especially amputees, such as one they named Amelie, who's back at sea.
The seed reveals that people in France have been cultivating the popular variety of grape since at least the 1400s, scientists say.
Researchers in Cambodia surveyed dozens of previously unexplored caves and found several species never seen before, including a pit viper that is still being studied.
The trial of a Hawaii doctor accused of attempting to murder his wife while on a hiking trail is underway. CBS News chief correspondent Matt Gutman breaks down footage of the alleged incident that the jury watched on Wednesday. Then, CBS News legal contributor Jessica Levinson joins with analysis.
Former Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro appeared at a New York courthouse on Thursday for a hearing in his drug trafficking case. CBS News legal reporter Katrina Kaufman has the details.
MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, Florida, is home to U.S. Central Command, U.S. Special Operations Command and the Air Force's Air Mobility Command.
The New York City Police Department is unveiling its gender-based violence policy and training unit to help survivors and investigate aggressors. CBS News' Anna Schecter reports.
Former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro is expected in court today for a hearing where he is expected to seek the dismissal of charges against him. CBS News' Anna Schecter has more.
As the number of people with cameras on their dashboards and doorbells has grown, so have reports of such sightings.
In an on-going overhaul of NASA's Artemis program, agency officials say it will take seven years to build a sophisticated base on the moon.
NASA's Artemis II rocket is back on the launch pad after repairs inside the massive Vehicle Assembly Building at the Kennedy Space Center. Early next month, NASA will try, for a second time, to send a crew of four on a flyby of the moon. Mark Strassmann has more.
A possible meteorite crashed into a Houston area house on Saturday night, tearing through the roof and two stories of the home, officials said.
Retired NASA astronaut and Air Force Col. Eileen Collins joins "CBS Saturday Morning" to discuss her groundbreaking journey to become the first woman to pilot the Space Shuttle and the first to command a Space Shuttle mission.
A look back at the esteemed personalities who've left us this year, who'd touched us with their innovation, creativity and humanity.
Does the evidence show a cover-up, or was Todd Kendhammer wrongfully convicted for the murder of his wife?
Christy Salters-Martin dominated in the boxing ring but faced her toughest challenger at home.
Family seeks answers in death of newlywed who disappeared in 2005 while on Mediterranean honeymoon cruise.
Meet the tattooed beauty charged in the death of Google executive Forrest Hayes.
New research from the Society of Human Resource Management shows which regions and jobs are most at risk from artificial intelligence. Johnny Taylor, president and CEO of SHRM, joins CBS News to discuss the findings.
The trial of a Hawaii doctor accused of attempting to murder his wife while on a hiking trail is underway. CBS News chief correspondent Matt Gutman breaks down footage of the alleged incident that the jury watched on Wednesday. Then, CBS News legal contributor Jessica Levinson joins with analysis.
A new AARP report suggests that the economic value of family caregiving in the U.S. has surpassed $1 trillion annually. AARP CEO Dr. Myechia Minter-Jordan joins CBS News to discuss.
Former Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro appeared at a New York courthouse on Thursday for a hearing in his drug trafficking case. CBS News legal reporter Katrina Kaufman has the details.
CBS News contacted all 532 House and Senate offices (there are three House vacancies) about the DHS funding impasse and asked what lawmakers are doing to end the shutdown. Here's what we heard back.