In a major development aligned with President Trump’s “America First” agenda, Mary Cohen, former Chief Financial Officer of FEMA, was fired for allegedly misusing taxpayer funds to benefit illegal immigrants. The dismissal followed widespread conservative criticism of FEMA’s performance, especially in the aftermath of a catastrophic hurricane in North Carolina in late 2024.

The storm devastated mountainous areas of the state, leaving thousands homeless. Many expected FEMA to lead a swift and effective response. Instead, critics argued that the agency prioritized foreign nationals and undocumented immigrants over American citizens, sparking public outrage and scrutiny of its financial practices.

The firing was first announced via social media on February 11, 2025, by a prominent conservative influencer. The post accused Cohen of diverting disaster relief funds and shared a video of her speaking about FEMA’s mission and values—statements viewed as hypocritical in light of her alleged misconduct.

In the video, Cohen emphasized FEMA’s responsibility to wisely manage resources and support employee growth. Her remarks were widely mocked by critics, who cited the agency’s perceived failure to serve American disaster victims as proof of mismanagement and misplaced priorities.

President Trump responded strongly on Truth Social, lambasting FEMA for favoring Democratic regions and illegal immigrants while neglecting North Carolina. He declared FEMA a “disaster” and called for its termination, advocating instead for state-level disaster management to improve efficiency and reduce costs.

Vice President JD Vance also issued a harsh rebuke of FEMA, suggesting that the agency’s involvement in immigration issues diluted its ability to respond to natural disasters. In a CBS interview, he stressed that diverting staff and resources compromises public safety during emergencies.

Vance further argued that time and attention are finite resources and that converting FEMA into a resettlement agency distracts from its core mission. He dismissed fact-checkers’ claims that immigrant-related expenditures come from separate budgets, casting doubt on the Biden administration’s transparency.

The incident has reignited partisan debate over FEMA’s role, accountability, and the prioritization of taxpayer funds, with Republicans pushing for radical reform or elimination of the agency amid allegations of political bias and inefficiency.