The New Yorker Radio Hour is a co-production of WNYC and The New Yorker.

Welcome to The New Yorker Radio Hour. I'm Adam Howard.

We're confronted with so many scandals when it comes to the federal government under the second Trump administration

that many controversies which would normally dominate the headlines

have largely flown under the radar. Take, for instance, a situation at FEMA. Yes, there is a situation at

FEMA. The oft-criticized but crucial agency tasked with helping states respond to all manner of natural

disasters has endured tremendous internal strife over leadership,

and reports have suggested that its mission has been compromised by partisan decision-making.

President Trump, who is the sole arbiter of who ultimately gets FEMA relief,

has rejected aid for Democratic-led states at the highest rate in the nearly 50-year

history of the agency. He's approved only 23% of Democratic requests, while approving 89% of those

coming from Republicans. This has led to accusations of emergency aid being used as a political

cudgel, and it's had a chilling effect on some of the rank and file that work at the agency.

I spoke to a longtime employee of FEMA about what's going on behind the scenes, and whether it could have a negative impact on the agency's ability to respond to the next inevitable crisis.

Since they are currently still actively working in the federal government, they have asked us to shield their identity. So we have digitally regenerated their voice for this interview.

Now, you've worked at FEMA for over a decade spanning four different administrations, including the current one.

Is that right?

That's correct.

What would you say morale is like there right now?

Morale right now is the lowest that I have ever seen it.

In terms of both people having seen a lot of leadership and a lot of institutional knowledge walk out the door due to the DRP program,

other people just quitting.

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