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Former FEMA official Gregg Phillips remains on federal payroll on administrative leave

The White House confirmed Phillips is receiving pay and benefits despite stepping down from his emergency response post in June.

The short version

  • Gregg Phillips, who left his leadership post at FEMA's Office of Response and Recovery in June, remains employed on administrative leave by the Trump administration.
  • The White House confirmed his leave status, which provides full federal pay and benefits, while Phillips posted on social media that he plans to leave the administration soon.
  • Phillips was recently seen visiting a Department of Justice facility alongside outgoing pardon attorney Ed Martin, though the nature of his current federal duties remains unspecified.

Key facts

  • The White House confirmed that former FEMA official Gregg Phillips is on administrative leave, a status providing full pay and benefits.[Wired]
  • Phillips stepped down from heading FEMA's Office of Response and Recovery in June, with the agency stating at the time that he was taking personal leave.[Wired]
  • Phillips stated on social media that he remains in the administration and plans to depart soon to return to election-related advocacy.[Wired]
  • Phillips was photographed at a Department of Justice facility alongside Ed Martin, who is scheduled to leave the administration in early September.[Wired]

What remains uncertain

  • It remains unknown what specific duties or projects Phillips has worked on since stepping away from FEMA headquarters in June.[Wired]
  • The Department of Justice and Martin did not comment on the purpose of Phillips' recent visit to the department.[Wired]

Sources