FEMA Chief Quits in Disgust at Kristi Noem's Texas Flood Response
Ken Pagurek, who had worked in that branch for more than a decade, reportedly told colleagues that his departure Monday from FEMA had come after mounting frustrations with the Trump administration's efforts to gut the disaster aid agency. But Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem's pitifully delayed response to the flooding over the Fourth of July weekend was apparently the straw that broke the camel's back.
Noem had severely botched FEMA's Texas response by failing to renew contracts with companies staffing FEMA call centers, resulting in a majority of calls going unanswered for days as the floodwaters raged. The secretary dismissed the reporting as 'fake news.'
She also reportedly delayed FEMA's initial response by instituting a policy that required her to personally sign off on all DHS expenditures exceeding $100,000. FEMA officials, who were unaware of the new rule, didn't receive Noem's go-ahead for 72 hours.
In his resignation letter, Pagurek didn't mention the floods at all. 'This decision was not made lightly, and after much reflection and prayer, it is the right path for me at this time,' he wrote. 'I have been continually inspired by the unwavering dedication, unmatched courage, and deep-seated commitment we share for saving lives and bringing hope in the face of devastation.'
One DHS spokesperson defended the response to the floods, while another criticized Pagurek's decision, saying that it was 'laughable that a career public employee, who claims to serve the American people, would choose to resign over our refusal to hastily approve a six-figure deployment contract without basic financial oversight.'
'We're being responsible with taxpayer dollars, that's our job,' the second spokesperson said.
Last month, Donald Trump said he plans to 'phase out' FEMA after this year's hurricane season, and future disbursements would come straight from him. 'We're going to give it out directly. It'll be from the president's office. We'll have somebody here, could be Homeland Security,' Trump said at the time.
Clearly, putting Noem in charge of personally approving decisions in a disaster comes at a cost, and the Trump administration's mismanagement of relief is more far-reaching than just the flooding in Texas.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
4 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Constable Resigns Over 'Money Grab' Speed Camera Program That Issued 4000 Tickets in 2 Weeks
"Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links." Citizens often complain that speed traps are little more than a cash grab from the government. Often, it's unclear just how true that is, but in West Baton Rouge Parish, Louisiana, we now have evidence of it. In fact, the man behind a speed enforcement plot admitted it was intended just to raise evidence for his organization in his own resignation letter. That man is now-former Ward 2 constable Ron Tetzel. In October of 2024, he began running a budget speed camera enforcement zone near a local school, according to WBRZ ABC 2 news. In this case, Tetzel had people with a radar gun-based camera system hide out and photograph alleged speeders as they drove by the school. In just two weeks, he issued over 4000 citations to drivers, each one valued at $150. That's roughly $600,000 in revenue, which was meant to have been split between the constable's office, the speed camera company, and the school district. There was a problem, though: the constable's office had no authority to issue the citations, as the constable had not established a cooperative endeavor agreement with the school board as required by law, according to WBRZ. By late November, the local police department was putting out Facebook statements telling citizens not to pay the tickets. Louisiana state senator, Caleb Kleinpeter then responded to that post saying, "I just got off of the phone with Attorney General Murrill who has told me to inform all DO NOT PAY this civil violation. If you did we are working to see how you can be reimbursed." Within just a couple of days, the senator had gone as far as to call the ticketing method illegal. "I am a huge supporter of law enforcement, but this is nothing but a money grab," he said to WBRZ. More surprising: Tetzel admitted that himself when resigning. In a letter dated March 12, 2025 but only recently uncovered, Tetzel wrote, "In an effort to evolve this office and position from a half-baked "Mayberry" operation into a functioning service entity that actually serves the community, the Ward 2 Justice of the Peace and I engaged with multiple entities... to conduct traffic photo enforcement in an unincorporated school zone within the parish." He complained that as a constable, his monthly stipend was just $380 and that he had to use his personal vehicle, weapon, and protective equipment, and said wanted the money to fund a full-time office, to procure items for the job, and to fund other projects. "I never expected or intended to get rich doing this service, but I equally did not expect to have to dedicate so many personal resources to my own safety or ability to do this job," Tetzel said. In addition, in his resignation letter, Tetzel claimed that the state attorney general's office knew about the plan and approved it, and called Kleinpeter and AG Liz Murrill "self-important, unaccountable, soundbite-obsessed officials." At least now none of them have to work together. You Might Also Like You Need a Torque Wrench in Your Toolbox Tested: Best Car Interior Cleaners The Man Who Signs Every Car
Yahoo
4 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Fishing groups push to postpone protections for endangered right whale to 2035
PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — A Maine congressman and several commercial fishing groups are getting behind a push to delay rules designed to protect a vanishing species of whale for 10 years. The North Atlantic right whale numbers only about 370 and has declined over the last 15 years. They have been the subject of proposed federal fishing laws that are backed by conservation groups because the whales are threatened by lethal entanglement in commercial fishing gear. The federal government is in the midst of a pause on federal right whale rules until 2028. Democratic Rep. Jared Golden of Maine and a coalition of fishing organizations said in letters to congressional officials that they want to extend that moratorium out to 2035. Golden, who played a role in the initial moratorium, said extending the pause would give the government the time it needs to craft regulations that reflect science. He also said it would protect Maine's lifesblood lobster fishing industry, which is one of the fishing sectors that would have to comply with rules intended to protect right whales. 'Maine's lobster fishery has most recently been valued at more than half a billion dollars — and that's just the value of the catch. It also supports tens of thousands of jobs. It is an iconic part of our state's economy, heritage and appeal to visitors,' Golden said in a July 22 letter to a subcommittee of the House Natural Resources Committee. The extension of the moratorium was originally proposed by Alaska Republican Nick Begich. It's one of several changes to the federal Marine Mammal Protection Act proposed by Begich, who like Golden represents a state with a large commercial fishing industry. The changes have drawn condemnation from environmental organizations and praise from commercial fishing groups. A group of fishing organizations including the Maine Lobstermen's Association said in a July 21 letter to the subcommittee that 'heavy regulation comes at a heavy cost.' The whales were once numerous off the East Coast, but they were decimated during the era of commercial whaling and have been slow to recover. They are also threatened by collisions with large ships. The population of the whales fell about 25% from 2010 to 2020. Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
4 minutes ago
- Yahoo
New Report Warns U.S. Tariffs on Lumber Could Trigger Systemic Risks Across B.C.
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, July 28, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- A new report by policy researcher Jerome Gessaroli for Resource Works explores how a significant downturn in British Columbia's forest sector could set off far-reaching ripple effects across the province's infrastructure, economy, and public safety systems. Titled 'Rising US Tariffs on Forest Products and the Systemic Risks Facing British Columbia,' the report looks at how sharply higher U.S. tariffs could accelerate a structural decline in BC's forest industry and expose hidden vulnerabilities in areas that depend on it, including road access, emergency response, Indigenous economic partnerships, and rural tourism. The report's findings are especially timely in light of the United States' recent decision to place tariffs on Canadian softwood lumber of 20.56%, which will intensify pressures on BC's already strained forest sector. 'Forestry in BC has long been more than just timber and mills; it quietly supports infrastructure, rural access, and emergency response in many regions,' said Gessaroli. 'If that foundation erodes, it could trigger disruptions in everything from wildfire suppression to Indigenous economic development. Our aim with this study is to help stakeholders anticipate and plan for those systemic risks.' Among the report's findings: If even 25% of BC's forestry roads go unmaintained due to reduced logging, approximately 125,000 km of backcountry access could be lost through decommissioning or disrepair, affecting remote communities, mining, pipelines, and tourism. Emergency services, including wildfire crews and ambulance access to Indigenous communities, could be impacted. Supply chains for residues used in pulp mills, wood pellets, and agriculture (e.g. livestock bedding) would face severe pressure. Road closures could reduce outdoor recreation and rural tourism, harming small businesses. Indigenous communities face dual challenges: a loss of forestry income and less access to traditional lands and services. 'The loss of forestry is not just a sectoral problem; it's a systems problem,' said Stewart Muir, CEO of Resource Works. 'Roads, services, and local economies across the province are all linked to this industry. This report shows that if policymakers don't plan ahead, we risk avoidable crises in public safety, infrastructure, and rural resilience.' The report was commissioned by Resource Works to support forward-looking dialogue on economic resilience and infrastructure planning amid trade and climate pressures. The full report is available at: About the AuthorJerome Gessaroli is a Senior Fellow at the Macdonald-Laurier Institute and the Montreal Economic Institute. He leads the Sound Economic Policy Project at BCIT and is lead Canadian co-author of Financial Management: Theory and Practice. About Resource WorksResource Works is a British Columbia–based non-profit that advocates for responsible resource development as a foundation for economic prosperity and environmental stewardship. Through research, public education, and community engagement, Resource Works supports balanced solutions that benefit people, the economy, and nature. Media ContactSimon Turner, ph. (672) 833-3775simon@ in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
