The new suit alleges the staffing cuts violate laws that restrict DHS's authority to make sweeping overhauls and staff reductions at FEMA. A coalition of unions and nonprofits is challenging cuts to staff at the Federal Emergency Management Agency, alleging they violate laws that restrict the Department of Homeland Security’s ability to make sweeping changes at FEMA. Their court challenge filed Tuesday evening alleges DHS and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem are breaking the law by directing the termination of hundreds of FEMA employees. Noem called Pretti a “domestic terrorist” in the hours after the shooting and said he was “brandishing his gun,” despite video evidence to the contrary. The legislation, called the Fixing Emergency Management for Americans (FEMA) Act, passed the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee last year.