Elon Musk claimed on Monday (Feb 10) that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) allocated $59 million last week to luxury hotels in New York City to accommodate illegal migrants.
In an early morning post on X, US President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/donald-trump" rel="dofollow noopener" target="_blank">Donald Trump's</a> aide said that the emergency funds had been "just discovered" by his Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). His revelation came as Trump advocated for a complete restructuring of FEMA, even suggesting the agency could be disbanded.
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/how-elon-musks-doge-us-treasury-department-shakeup-could-be-biggest-security-breach-in-us-history-8704805" rel="dofollow noopener" target="_blank">Also read: &lsquo;Massive risks&rsquo;: How Elon Musk&rsquo;s Treasury shakeup could be &lsquo;biggest security breach in US history&rsquo;</a>
&ldquo;Sending this money violated the law and is in gross insubordination to the President&rsquo;s executive order,&rdquo; Musk wrote.
&ldquo;That money is meant for American disaster relief and instead is being spent on high-end hotels for illegals,&rdquo; he continued.
&ldquo;A clawback demand will be made today to recoup those funds,&rdquo; the billionaire added.
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hell-expose-billions-of-dollars-of-fraud-trump-defends-terrific-elon-musks-government-overhaul-8705625" rel="dofollow noopener" target="_blank">Also read: 'He'll expose billions of dollars of fraud': Trump defends 'terrific' Elon Musk&rsquo;s government overhaul</a>
Last month, President Trump issued an executive order establishing a council to examine FEMA&rsquo;s operations, citing &ldquo;serious concerns of political bias&rdquo; within the agency. The president has called for the council&rsquo;s first meeting within 90 days and expects to receive a report on its findings within 180 days of that initial gathering.
This came after Trump met with survivors of Hurricane Helene, many of whom remain homeless four months after the disaster. During this appearance, he floated the idea of a comprehensive overhaul of FEMA. Criticising the agency&rsquo;s effectiveness, Trump said that FEMA was &ldquo;not on the ball&hellip; and we&rsquo;re going to turn it all around.&rdquo;
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/most-corrupt-least-competent-elon-musk-demands-impeachment-of-judge-who-blocked-doge-treasury-access-8705333" rel="dofollow noopener" target="_blank">Also read: &lsquo;Most corrupt, least competent&rsquo;: Elon Musk demands &lsquo;impeachment&rsquo; of judge who blocked DOGE&rsquo;s Treasury access</a>
Speaking at a roundtable with federal and local officials, the president announced plans to sign an executive order aimed at fundamentally reforming FEMA or potentially dismantling it altogether. &ldquo;I think, frankly, that FEMA&rsquo;s not good,&rdquo; he said.
Trump also accused the agency of mishandling emergency response efforts, arguing that federal aid should be provided directly to US states in the aftermath of disasters instead of being distributed through FEMA.
(With inputs from agencies)

World: In an early morning post on X, US President Donald Trump's aide said that the emergency funds had been "just discovered" by his Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE)

Elon Musk claimed on Monday (Feb 10) that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) allocated $59 million last week to luxury hotels in New York City to accommodate illegal migrants. In an early morning post on X, US President Donald Trump's aide said that the emergency funds had been "just discovered" by his Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). His revelation came as Trump advocated for a complete restructuring of FEMA, even suggesting the agency could be disbanded. Also read: ‘Massive risks’: How Elon Musk’s Treasury shakeup could be ‘biggest security breach in US history’ “Sending this money violated the law and is in gross insubordination to the President’s executive order,” Musk wrote. “That money is meant for American disaster relief and instead is being spent on high-end hotels for illegals,” he continued. “A clawback demand will be made today to recoup those funds,” the billionaire added. Also read: 'He'll expose billions of dollars of fraud': Trump defends 'terrific' Elon Musk’s government overhaul Last month, President Trump issued an executive order establishing a council to examine FEMA’s operations, citing “serious concerns of political bias” within the agency. The president has called for the council’s first meeting within 90 days and expects to receive a report on its findings within 180 days of that initial gathering. This came after Trump met with survivors of Hurricane Helene, many of whom remain homeless four months after the disaster. During this appearance, he floated the idea of a comprehensive overhaul of FEMA. Criticising the agency’s effectiveness, Trump said that FEMA was “not on the ball… and we’re going to turn it all around.” Also read: ‘Most corrupt, least competent’: Elon Musk demands ‘impeachment’ of judge who blocked DOGE’s Treasury access Speaking at a roundtable with federal and local officials, the president announced plans to sign an executive order aimed at fundamentally reforming FEMA or potentially dismantling it altogether. “I think, frankly, that FEMA’s not good,” he said. Trump also accused the agency of mishandling emergency response efforts, arguing that federal aid should be provided directly to US states in the aftermath of disasters instead of being distributed through FEMA. (With inputs from agencies)

‘Gross insubordination’: Musk claims FEMA sent $59mn to luxury hotels to ‘house illegal migrants’

A Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) official has been suspended after ordering disaster relief workers to avoid helping the houses having a Trump sign, Fox News reported.

A Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) official has been suspended after ordering disaster relief workers to avoid helping the houses having a Trump sign, Fox News reported. After the devastating hurricane in Florida, relief workers were deployed in the affected areas but the official directed them to not help the homes "advertising" for the US President-elect Donald Trump. In a statement to Fox News, a FEMA spokesperson said the organisation is "deeply disturbed" after the incident confirming that the official directing the workers was given no instruction from the agency to avoid those houses. "While we believe this is an isolated incident, we have taken measures to remove the employee from their role and are investigating the matter to prevent this from happening ever again," the spokesperson told Fox News. "The employee who issued this guidance had no authority and was given no direction to tell teams to avoid these homes, and we are reaching out to the people who may have not been reached as a result of this incident," he added. Also read | Pentagon officials brace for illegal orders from Donald Trump: Reports FEMA said it is taking the incident: extremely serious" and investing in it, Fox News reported. FEMA vs Trump Donald Trump slammed the federal response to a devastating hurricane just a week before the US elections, as his rival Kamala Harris pushed for moderate Republican votes in the closing stretch of a deadlocked White House race. Trump, who notched his narrowest victory in North Carolina when he lost to Joe Biden in 2020, toured storm-damaged parts of hard-hit Asheville. Officials in the state were forced to issue hurricane response fact-checks after Trump and his backers pushed what Biden called "an onslaught of lies" about confiscated property, neglected Republican areas and funds diverted to migrants. Also read | 'Money's not an issue': Man charged in Trump's assassination attempt revealed Iran army's plan The 78-year-old doubled down on the conspiracy theories in Asheville, accusing FEMA of redirecting disaster funds to bring in undocumented immigrants and bolster Democratic votes. "So I think it's a disgrace what happened with FEMA, what's happened with their rescue effort. Their rescue effort was almost non-existent," Trump said, according to AFP. (With inputs from agencies)

FEMA official directed aid workers to avoid houses with Trump signs, suspended: Report

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) Thursday conducted searches at two locations of human rights watchdog Amnesty International India here in connection with a foreign exchange contravention case, the agency said.

The searches, officials said, were launched late noon under the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA) at the two locations of the NGO in the Karnataka capital and the sleuths of the central probe agency are looking for documents and other evidences.

The searches are in connection with alleged violation of foreign direct investment (FDI) norms that is linked to an earlier case of revocation of FCRA licence of the NGO by the Union Home Ministry in 2010, the ED said.

"After Amnesty International India Foundation Trust (AIIFT) was denied the permission/registration under FCRA (Foreign Contribution Regulation Act) by the MHA (ministry of home affairs) they resorted to bypass the FCRA by floating commercial entity in the name of Amnesty lnternational India Pvt Ltd (AIIPL).&nbsp;

"This entity has received foreign funds through commercial route to the extent of Rs 36 crore till date," the ED said in a statement.&nbsp;

Out of the total amount of Rs 36 crore, it said, Rs 10 crore was received as long term loans.&nbsp;

"This amount was immediately placed in FDs (fixed deposits) and another Indian entity-- Indians for Amnesty International Trust (IAIT) had established an over draft facility for Rs 14.25 crore keeping the said 10 crore FD as collateral which means the receipt of FDI by trust only.&nbsp;

"The remaining Rs 26 crore was received in two other bank accounts of AIIPL as consultancy services. The inwards remittances received by the AIIPL from overseas is in violation of FDI guidelines," it said.&nbsp;

In this background, searches were conducted at Bengaluru office of the NGO and further probe is in progress, it said.

The agency, sometime back, had frozen over a dozen bank accounts of environmental NGO Greenpeace and its linked entity after it conducted searches at their premises in Bengaluru on charges of alleged forex violations after taking cognisance of the FCRA action against it.

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) Thursday conducted searches at two locations of human rights watchdog Amnesty International India here in connection with a foreign exchange contravention case, the agency said.

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) Thursday conducted searches at two locations of human rights watchdog Amnesty International India here in connection with a foreign exchange contravention case, the agency said. The searches, officials said, were launched late noon under the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA) at the two locations of the NGO in the Karnataka capital and the sleuths of the central probe agency are looking for documents and other evidences. The searches are in connection with alleged violation of foreign direct investment (FDI) norms that is linked to an earlier case of revocation of FCRA licence of the NGO by the Union Home Ministry in 2010, the ED said. "After Amnesty International India Foundation Trust (AIIFT) was denied the permission/registration under FCRA (Foreign Contribution Regulation Act) by the MHA (ministry of home affairs) they resorted to bypass the FCRA by floating commercial entity in the name of Amnesty lnternational India Pvt Ltd (AIIPL). "This entity has received foreign funds through commercial route to the extent of Rs 36 crore till date," the ED said in a statement. Out of the total amount of Rs 36 crore, it said, Rs 10 crore was received as long term loans. "This amount was immediately placed in FDs (fixed deposits) and another Indian entity-- Indians for Amnesty International Trust (IAIT) had established an over draft facility for Rs 14.25 crore keeping the said 10 crore FD as collateral which means the receipt of FDI by trust only. "The remaining Rs 26 crore was received in two other bank accounts of AIIPL as consultancy services. The inwards remittances received by the AIIPL from overseas is in violation of FDI guidelines," it said. In this background, searches were conducted at Bengaluru office of the NGO and further probe is in progress, it said. The agency, sometime back, had frozen over a dozen bank accounts of environmental NGO Greenpeace and its linked entity after it conducted searches at their premises in Bengaluru on charges of alleged forex violations after taking cognisance of the FCRA action against it.

Our structure compliant with Indian laws: Amnesty India

Hawaii Governor David Ige on Monday said he has contacted the Trump administration to request an emergency declaration so the area can get federal help with volcano recovery efforts.

"I called FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) right away to let them know that we anticipate an event, that we want their support and most importantly I called the White House to let them know," he said.

This new eruption would entail danger to our community that I felt was very important that we assure that state, federal and county assets would be available to keep all of you safe, Ige added.

He was speaking at a community meeting in Pahoa.

Kilauea is one of the world's most active volcanoes and has been erupting continuously since 1983.

There's no indication when this particular lava flow might stop or how far it might spread.

"Yesterday when we went to look at the volcano, you could hear it. It's like a freight train and a huge wave coming at you. It was very scary," said Briyani Carley, a local who was evacuated by authorities.

Scientists from the US Geological Survey expect the flow to continue until more magma drains from the system.

On Sunday, some of the evacuees were allowed to return briefly to gather medicine, pets, and other necessities.

"We are feeling sorry for the people that have lost their houses because we know some of our neighbours have lost theirs. But at least up until now we are okay," said Carley.

They will be able to do so each day as long as authorities believe it is safe.

'I called FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) right away to let them know that we anticipate an event, that we want their support and most importantly I called the White House to let them know,' he said

Hawaii Governor David Ige on Monday said he has contacted the Trump administration to request an emergency declaration so the area can get federal help with volcano recovery efforts. "I called FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) right away to let them know that we anticipate an event, that we want their support and most importantly I called the White House to let them know," he said. This new eruption would entail danger to our community that I felt was very important that we assure that state, federal and county assets would be available to keep all of you safe, Ige added. He was speaking at a community meeting in Pahoa. Kilauea is one of the world's most active volcanoes and has been erupting continuously since 1983. There's no indication when this particular lava flow might stop or how far it might spread. "Yesterday when we went to look at the volcano, you could hear it. It's like a freight train and a huge wave coming at you. It was very scary," said Briyani Carley, a local who was evacuated by authorities. Scientists from the US Geological Survey expect the flow to continue until more magma drains from the system. On Sunday, some of the evacuees were allowed to return briefly to gather medicine, pets, and other necessities. "We are feeling sorry for the people that have lost their houses because we know some of our neighbours have lost theirs. But at least up until now we are okay," said Carley. They will be able to do so each day as long as authorities believe it is safe.

Hawaii seeks US government's help with recovery efforts after volcano eruption