FEMA Official Sues Trump Administration Alleging Unlawful Firing and Defamation

A former top Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) official sued the Trump administration Tuesday claiming she was unlawfully fired without cause last month.

Mary Comans, FEMA’s former chief financial officer, also said Trump officials defamed her and violated the Privacy Act by stating she was fired for helping disperse federal funds to house migrants in New York City.

Comans was fired following a misleading social media frenzy ignited by billionaire Elon Musk over the funds.

“The Defendants falsely, deliberately and publicly portrayed Ms. Comans’ actions in such a manner that third parties have asserted her conduct to have been criminal, which is defamation per se,” Comans’ lawsuit reads.

Comans’ lawsuit adds to the numerous legal challenges against the Trump administration’s efforts to remake the federal government. In addition to mass firings across several agencies, the administration has also dismissed the heads and board members of independent regulatory agencies.

“Upon information and belief, the Defendants (and the Executive Branch as a whole) view their authority to terminate federal employees to be absolute and not subject to any of the statutory protections,” the lawsuit continues.