Trump administration FEMA chief keeps job despite misusing federal vehicles

Sept. 22--The Trump administration's top disaster response manager should have gotten permission before he traveled home in government vehicles -- but he won't lose his job over it.

Federal Emergency Management Agency chief Brock Long used the cars in his six-hour commute from Washington to his home in Hickory, N.C. "without proper authorization," said Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen.

"The administrator acknowledged that mistakes were made, and he took personal responsibility," Nielsen said in the statement Friday, adding that she "takes seriously" the "unauthorized or inappropriate use of government resources."

Long's use of the vehicles was outlined in a report by the Homeland Security inspector general.

It's a longstanding practice to transport the FEMA administrator in government vehicles, as part of policies meant to ensure senior officials can be reached in event of a national emergency. But in Long's case, it was "never authorized in accordance with applicable Law."

Nielsen said FEMA "eliminated unauthorized work-to-home transportation" back in April.

Long said that he took "full responsibility for any mistakes that were made by me or the agency."

"The secretary and I are taking corrective action to prevent such mistakes from happening in the future," he added.

Long has also agreed to reimburse the government. It's not clear much he will pay.

News of the probe broke earlier this month as Hurricane Florence roared toward North Carolina, sparking rumors that Long would be asked to resign. During a press briefing ahead of the storm Long denied intentionally misusing the vehicles and vowed to cooperate with authorities.

Nielsen, according to Politico, said she appreciated "Administrator Long and the entire FEMA staff's continued professional focus on their mission during this investigation and have full confidence in their ability to continue to perform."

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