WASHINGTON (AP) — A federal judge has ruled that a plan by the Trump administration to slash staffing at the federal agency tasked with responding to disasters by 50% was unlawful.
The opinion issued late Friday marked a victory for labor groups who had sued the agency. The labor organization had argued that plans by the Department of Homeland Security, which was then led by Secretary Kristi Noem, violated congressional protections that were designed to safeguard the independence of the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
The issue of the FEMA staffing was part of a much larger lawsuit filed by the American Federation of Government Employees and other labor groups, pushing back on efforts by the Trump administration to slash the federal workforce.
U.S. District Judge Susan Illston wrote in her opinion that top Homeland Security officials late last year directed FEMA's leadership to submit a staffing plan that included a 50% staffing cut even though the agency's own supervisors objected.
“Frankly, the FEMA staffing plan number appears as if pulled from thin air,” wrote Illston.
FEMA responded in a statement late Saturday that while it does not comment on personnel matters and ongoing litigation, “DHS and FEMA are ready for the 2026 hurricane season."
“We’re ensuring workforce stability and a strong, deployable force for upcoming national events and potential disasters; making the agency leaner, faster and laser-focused on supporting state, local, tribal and territorial partners before, during and after disasters,” it said. “FEMA continues to maintain a roster of experienced leadership and support staff across headquarters and regional offices.”
The Department of Homeland Security did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
In the opinion, Illston wrote that it was clear that the government violated rules established after 2005's Hurricane Katrina that put decisions on staffing levels squarely in the hands of FEMA, not the Department of Homeland Security and that prevented DHS from “substantially” reducing the “functions” of FEMA.
Illston didn't order a specific remedy to carry out her opinion but directed the two sides to meet and decide on a course of relief.
Although FEMA has experienced terminations, the 50% staffing cuts ultimately were not carried out. In recent months, after top leadership changes at FEMA and the Department of Homeland Security, the agency has rehired some staffers who were let go.
FEMA was one of the agencies targeted in the federal government for staff reductions as part of a broad Trump administration plan to reduce the size of government. The embattled agency has been buffeted by mass staff departures, disruptions of grant programs, and delays of disaster aid.
In May, a Trump-appointed FEMA Review Council submitted a final report recommending sweeping changes to how the agency supports states, tribes and territories in disaster.
The final version backed away from the recommendation to cut the FEMA workforce by 50%, which was included in a December 2025 draft reviewed by The Associated Press.
The council instead recommended the agency conduct a “strategic review” to determine “appropriate staffing levels.”
In an August report, the Government Accountability Office said it found the departures of thousands of staff in 2025 resulted in a “loss of institutional knowledge and experienced personnel” and “exacerbated longstanding workforce challenges.”
More than 4,300 employees, or about 17% of FEMA’s workforce, separated from the agency in the 2025 budget year, with over 1,500 through voluntary reductions. The agency also made about 2,900 new hires.
The GAO recently recommended to Congress that it “consider requiring” FEMA to base “significant workforce decisions” on a more strategic planning process.
Without it, the GAO found, “FEMA cannot be assured that the agency is positioned to effectively meet its mission needs.”
FILE - People work at the Federal Emergency Management Agency headquarters in Washington, Jan. 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson, File)
BERLIN (AP) — Breanna Stewart was part of the U.S. Olympic team that beat France by one point in Paris two years ago.
The U.S. captain feels that victory has no barring on the rematch Sunday for the women's FIBA World Cup title.
“This is a completely new game and everybody has their own things that continue to motivate them,” Stewart said after the U.S. topped Spain 76-66 in a semifinal Saturday. “I think that what I will continue to be preaching to this team is ‘we’re going to turn the page on everything.’ This is one game to win the the gold medal at the World Cup in Berlin and that’s our entire focus.”
It's easy for Stewart to say that as more than half the U.S. roster in the World Cup wasn't on that Olympic team. Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese and Paige Bueckers are playing for their first championship with the national team. Stewart's already won three World Cup titles since making her debut in 2014.
Kahleah Copper was a huge reason the U.S. was able to beat France two years ago. She had 12 points in that game.
“I mean, they’re a different team, we’re a different team,” she said. “Two great teams gonna go at it head-to-head.”
The Americans have looked far from the team that has dominated the World Cup during this historic run of 35 consecutive victories and four straight championships. A three-point win over Italy in pool play was the closest a team has come to the Americans in group stage in 50 years. The 10-point victory over Spain was the closest semifinal contest during this remarkable streak. The Americans had been winning by an average of 26 points over the past four medal-round games.
“It’s literally about us. Everything that we do is going to dictate what happens in tomorrow’s game and making sure that that’s the main focus as we continue to look inward,” Stewart said. “Whether that’s lifting a teammate up or high fiving them or telling them shoot the next shot. There's going to be a ton of emotions in this game. It’s going to be the team that really kind of regulates that and handles that best that will have the advantage.”
French players are also downplaying the significance of that Olympic contest.
“That was two years ago,” Janelle Salaün said of the defeat. “There were different people involved, different players, so now we’re focusing on tomorrow and the here and now.”
Marine Johannes knows about the tall task the French have in front of them.
“If I’m (being) honest we have nothing to lose,” she said. “We actually know they are a great team. They won every World Cup for years and years. We are playing with these players all season in WNBA actually. We know how good they are. It’s one game, nothing to lose. We are going to play hard and we’ll see what happens.”
No matter what happens on Sunday, France is set for its best World Cup finish ever. The French team hasn't won a medal since the inaugural tournament in 1953, when the team finished third in the final round.
“It means a lot. This is the first time we’re taking it to this level,” France coach Jean-Aimé Toupane said after the semifinal win over Germany. “You guys can see how French basketball all around the world is improving.”
France winning a gold medal would be a seismic shift in the sport's landscape. The Americans have only lost once in the championships game, falling to the Soviet Union in 1983. They are 8-0 since.
“We didn’t come all this way for nothing – we’re here to win," France's Leila Lacan said. "We won’t settle for the silver medal, we’re going to go and get that gold.”
See AP’s full WNBA coverage here
France's Marine Johannes, left, and Pauline Astier hug after the Women's Basketball World Cup semifinal match between France and Germany in Berlin, Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)
Paige Bueckers, of the United States, gets a rebound during the Women's Basketball World Cup semifinal match between the United States and Spain in Berlin, Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)
Angel Reese, of the United States, reacts during the Women's Basketball World Cup semifinal match between the United States and Spain in Berlin, Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)
French players celebrate after the Women's Basketball World Cup semifinal match between France and Germany in Berlin, Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)
during the Women's Basketball World Cup semifinal match between the United States and Spain in Berlin, Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)
