Four FEMA officials have been fired after Elon Musk raised concerns about the agency using government funds to house migrants in luxury hotels in New York City. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) confirmed the dismissals on Tuesday, stating that the officials were responsible for the payments and labeling them as “deep state activists.”
The fired officials include FEMA’s chief financial officer, two program analysts, and a grant specialist. DHS explained that the money came from a FEMA grant program, and the payments violated an executive order issued by President Donald Trump, which was aimed at cracking down on illegal immigration. The agency made it clear that it would not tolerate actions that went against the administration’s policies.
Musk first brought attention to the issue on X, where he claimed that his Department of Government Efficiency discovered that FEMA had spent more than $50 million to house migrants in luxury hotels. He argued that this spending went against the administration’s immigration enforcement efforts and questioned why taxpayer money was being used in this way.
Shortly after Musk’s post, acting FEMA Administrator Cameron Hamilton announced on X that all payments for luxury hotels had been suspended as of Saturday. He also stated that FEMA personnel responsible for the spending would be held accountable. However, further details about the firings and the ongoing investigation were not immediately shared.
Former President Donald Trump also criticized FEMA on Truth Social, saying the agency was under investigation for mismanaging funds. He accused FEMA of failing to provide proper assistance to North Carolina and even suggested that the agency should be shut down. His remarks added to the growing controversy surrounding how federal funds are being used to address the migrant crisis.
This issue comes at a time when immigration policies are a major topic of debate in the United States. The federal government has been facing pressure to manage the rising number of migrants, while critics argue that resources should be spent differently. The recent firings show that the administration is taking action in response to concerns about financial mismanagement. However, it remains unclear what further steps will be taken to prevent similar spending in the future.