Brown on his way out.. days are numbered

[Slappie 9]

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-090905brown_lat,0,5399595.story?coll=la-home-headlines

Embattled FEMA Chief Removed From Hurricane Relief Efforts

WASHINGTON -- Michael Brown, the embattled head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, was removed today from a direct role in running the relief and recovery efforts in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, Michael Chertoff, secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, announced.

Brown, whose agency has been criticized for imposing bureaucratic obstacles to relief efforts even before the winds and rain died down, was being sent back to Washington from Louisiana, where he had been the top on-scene commander of the federal operation.

He was replaced by Coast Guard Vice Adm. Thad W. Allen, Chertoff said.

The secretary said Brown was needed at the helm of the agency to prepare for future hurricanes, but senior Democrats said President Bush should fire the agency head.

Chertoff made the announcement at a brief, hastily announced press conference in Baton Rouge, La., with Brown at his side. He would not let Brown respond to questions.

The secretary, whose department absorbed FEMA when the nation's domestic defense operations were overhauled after the Sept. 11 attacks, presented the shift as a reflection of the ongoing needs of preparing for additional hurricane damage.

He said the department was preparing to move from "immediate emergency response" to its next phase, and needed "a seamless interaction with military forces."

"At the same time, we are still in hurricane season. We need to be prepared to deal effectively with the possibility of other hurricanes as well as other disasters, whether they be natural or man-made," Chertoff said. "Therefore, I've directed Mike Brown to return to administering FEMA nationally."

"We cannot afford to let our guard down with respect to other things that might happen," he added. "Therefore, I want to make sure FEMA continues to be run the way it needs to be, continues to be prepared to anticipate other challenges."

He said Allen would be "the principal federal official" overseeing recovery work in the gulf region.

"Mike Brown has done everything he possibly could to coordinate the federal response to this unprecedented challenge. I appreciate his work, as does everybody here," said the secretary, who was dressed informally in a Brooks Brothers sport shirt.

As the under secretary of a Cabinet department, Brown is paid $149,200 a year, according to the Senate listing of government salaries.

The latest difficulties Brown faced were two reports that his official resume did not accurately reflect his work experience; one report indicated he had overstated his role as an emergency manager.

Asked whether the shift was "the first step" toward Brown's resignation-a question that was also directed to Brown-and how Brown responded to the reports about his resume, Chertoff, assuming the stern manner of an appeals court judge-a position he formerly held-responded curtly:

"Here are the ground rules: I'm going to answer the questions. I've explained what we're doing. I thought I was about as clear as I possibly could be in English as to what I'm doing and why I'm doing it."

In a written statement distributed by the homeland security department, where Brown's title is under secretary, Brown called attention to the potential threat of Hurricane Ophelia off the Florida coast, and said he was returning to Washington "to resume oversight over operations" preparing for the storm.

"FEMA is fully capable of handling multi-storm operations," his statement said.

Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) and the assistant minority leader, Richard Durbin (D-Ill.) wrote to Bush requesting Brown's "immediate removal" as head of FEMA.

"The events of the last 10 days have shown that Mr. Brown has repeatedly exercised poor judgment and has failed in his basic responsibilities," they said, adding that it was not sufficient to remove Brown from the gulf region.

The letter was also signed by Sens. Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.) and Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.)

"Find out just what any people will quietly submit to and you have found out the exact measure of injustice and wrong which will be imposed upon them."