The former Marine combat leader who is now leading FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) told staff Friday that if they attempted to obstruct his plans for the agency, he would “run right over” them.
USA Today reported the call from FEMA Administrator David Richardson to all staff included references to his service and experience dealing with people who don’t follow orders.
“I, and I alone in FEMA, speak for FEMA,” Richardson reportedly said. “I’m here to carry out the president’s intent for FEMA.”
Richardson told staff during the call that when experiencing change, as many as 20% of staff in an organization will attempt to resist. He suggested that won’t work with him.
“Obfuscation, delay, undermining. If you’re one of those 20% of people,” said Richardson, “and you think those tactics and techniques are going to help you, they will not, because I will run right over you.”
With added emphasis, he said, “Don’t get in my way — I know all the tricks.”
Richardson’s comments undoubtedly came across as a stark reminder to FEMA staff that streamlining, if not total closure of the agency, is at hand.
The Trump administration has targeted FEMA as an agency whose functions are better carried out by individual states.
Richardson reminded staff of that policy. “We’re going to find out how to push things down to the states that should be done at state level.”
As many as 2,000 FEMA employees have reportedly been fired or accepted termination offers since President Donald Trump was inaugurated in January.
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