Trump administration halts FEMA deployment of aid workers during DHS shutdown

Published February 19, 2026 5:57am ET



The Trump administration has ordered the Federal Emergency Management Agency to halt the deployment of aid workers during the partial government shutdown affecting the Department of Homeland Security. FEMA, which is part of DHS, is the federal agency that sends personnel to assist those affected by natural disasters nationwide. Its self-described mission is “helping people before, during, and after disasters.”

The suspension went into effect on Feb. 18, Reuters reported.

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