FEMA extends hiring freeze through 2025 as hurricane season looms

30/8/2025 6:46

The U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency has extended a hiring freeze through at least the end of this year, according to three sources familiar with the matter, as the peak of hurricane season approaches.



The Trump administration froze hiring government-wide through October 15, with exceptions for public safety employees and a few other categories. FEMA is extending that freeze, according to the sources.



FEMA did not immediately comment.



News about the freeze trickled through the agency the same week that three dozen former and current FEMA employees signed a public letter of dissent against the agency’s leaders. The letter, sent by a mix of former political appointees and permanent staff, said the inexperience of the Trump

administration’s top appointees could lead to catastrophe at the level of Hurricane Katrina.



This week marks the 20th anniversary of the storm that devastated towns across the Gulf Coast.