DOGE focuses on millions in migrant hotels billed to US taxpayers as DHS Sec. Noem targets key agency

The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by tech billionaire Elon Musk, recently uncovered a shocking misuse of funds by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Musk, who is spearheading the Trump administration’s efforts to reduce government spending, revealed that FEMA spent $59 million on luxury hotels in New York City to house illegal immigrants just last week.

This revelation has sparked outrage and raised questions about FEMA’s financial management, especially in light of recent concerns about the agency’s lack of funds during Hurricane Helene. Musk took to Twitter to express his dismay, stating that the money allocated to FEMA was meant for American disaster relief, not to support illegal immigrants.

The funds provided to New York City were reportedly allocated by the Biden administration for the purpose of housing and supporting illegal immigrants. Of the $59.3 million, $19 million went towards direct hotel costs, with the remaining funds covering other services such as food and security. According to NY City Hall, the funds were not part of a disaster relief grant.

Secretary Kristi Noem of the Department of Homeland Security, which oversees FEMA, has also expressed concerns about the agency’s current structure. She suggested reevaluating FEMA’s role and potentially restructuring it to better address the needs of disaster relief efforts.

During the Biden administration, FEMA faced criticism for its handling of funds, with reports indicating that while the agency lacked necessary funds for disaster relief efforts, money was being diverted to assist illegal immigrants. Speaker Mike Johnson clarified that emergency relief funding is separate from funds allocated for immigration purposes and that FEMA should not be involved in funding the border crisis.

President Donald Trump has also been critical of FEMA, suggesting that states should have more control over their disaster funding. He proposed reforms that would allocate a percentage of funds directly to the states, bypassing FEMA altogether.

The revelations about FEMA’s spending on luxury hotels for illegal immigrants have reignited calls for reform within the agency. As the government works to identify and eliminate wasteful spending, it is essential that agencies like FEMA prioritize their resources to effectively respond to disasters and emergencies.

Fox News reached out to FEMA for comment on the matter. The investigation into FEMA’s spending practices continues, with Musk and the DOGE team leading the charge to ensure that taxpayer funds are used responsibly and effectively.

Aubrie Spady is a Writer for Fox News Digital.