Several employees at the United States Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) have been placed on administrative leave after endorsing a public letter criticizing the agency's current direction, according to the nonprofit that released the statement.

The group of workers was suspended on Tuesday, following their decision to support the open letter issued the previous day. The timing coincided with the 20th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, and the letter voiced serious concerns about budget cuts, staffing choices, and restructuring efforts carried out during President Donald Trump’s administration. The employees fear these measures could recreate the failures witnessed during the agency’s response to the catastrophic 2005 hurricane.

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The nonprofit Stand Up for Science confirmed on Tuesday that several FEMA workers who signed what has been called the Katrina Declaration had been placed on leave.

This action is expected to raise further concerns about how the Trump administration handles internal dissent. Earlier, in July, a similar situation saw 139 Environmental Protection Agency employees put on leave after openly criticizing presidential environmental policies.

As of Tuesday evening, the letter had gathered over 190 signatures, according to the Stand Up for Science website. Many contributors chose to remain anonymous due to fears of professional backlash.

According to The New York Times, around 30 employees faced suspension, based on their access to internal emails and communications.

Stand Up for Science remarked, “This is another example of the federal government punishing civil servants for speaking out—an illegal act and a betrayal of those dedicated to public service.”

Virginia Case, a FEMA worker, told CNN she was informed Tuesday night that she had been placed on paid administrative leave from her supervisory position.

“I’m not shocked, but I am let down,” Case reportedly said. “I remain proud of our decision to speak out. The public must be aware of these developments; the consequences affect real people and communities.”

The Washington Post noted that although the employees are suspended, they will continue to receive their full pay and benefits.

According to the agency’s press secretary, FEMA has struggled with bureaucracy and inefficiency, and the Trump administration has prioritized reform and accountability.

Still, since returning to office in January, Trump has reiterated his desire to disband FEMA and delegate its responsibilities to state governments.

Approximately one-third of FEMA’s workforce—nearly 2,000 employees—has departed this year, through layoffs, voluntary exits, or early retirements.

Hurricane Katrina, which devastated New Orleans and claimed over 1,800 lives, remains one of the deadliest natural disasters in American history. Criticism of FEMA’s response led Congress to pass the Post-Katrina Emergency Reform Act in 2006, significantly expanding the agency's function.

The open letter cautioned that recent federal actions are reversing those crucial reforms.