DHS Denies Suspension of FEMA Disaster Response Teams Amid Government Shutdown
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) on Thursday stated that it did not suspend the deployment of Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) aid workers due to the ongoing government shutdown. Instead, DHS reported issuing limited guidance that restricts travel and “certain operational activities” as a result of the lapse in funding triggered by congressional Democrats amid a dispute over Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
DHS emphasized that “FEMA travel related to active disasters is NOT canceled and was NEVER canceled,” according to a statement released on X.
The clarification follows reports indicating that DHS had ordered FEMA to halt deployments of hundreds of disaster aid workers nationwide. These reports cited internal messages from DHS leadership sent Tuesday night.
DHS maintained that while guidance was issued, disaster response operations continue. The agency stated: “Due to the lapse in federal funding caused by congressional Democrats, DHS issued guidance restricting travel and certain operational activities. These limitations are not a choice but are necessary to comply with federal law. FEMA continues to coordinate closely with DHS to ensure effective disaster response under these circumstances.”
Internal communications showed that an email sent Tuesday night by DHS ordered a halt to all travel for DHS-funded personnel, including those engaged in disaster-related work. This order caused confusion as FEMA teams were responding to 14 active disaster declarations linked to severe winter storms from last month.
In an internal email, Kurt Weirich, a chief of staff at FEMA, wrote: “DHS has issued a stop-travel order for all DHS funded travel, effective February 18, 2026, for the duration of the lapse in appropriation. Currently this DOES include disaster travel.”
A separate internal message from a FEMA official indicated that “ALL travel stopped” and that 360 personnel scheduled for trainings and other assignments were directed to stand down.
By Wednesday morning, DHS and FEMA officials worked to clarify guidance to ensure disaster-specific workers could continue traveling.
DHS stated that FEMA remains focused on core emergency missions despite the funding lapse: “During a funding lapse, FEMA prioritizes life safety and property protection. FEMA continues mission-essential operations for active disasters, including immediate response and critical survivor assistance. While some non-essential activities will be paused or scaled back, FEMA remains committed to supporting communities and responding to incidents like Hurricane Helene.”
DHS also noted that it had provided this information to the press but they chose to report a false narrative.
The government shutdown stems from Democrats’ demands for new restrictions on federal immigration agents following last month’s fatal shooting of protesters Alex Pretti and Renee Good in Minneapolis.
