Americans were enraged this week when it was reported that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) used $59 million to house illegal migrants in luxury hotels.

In addition to shutting down the payments, Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem is clawing the money back. 

DHS: "Not be a single penny" will be misused

According to Fox News, that fact was confirmed by a DHS spokesperson who said, "Secretary Noem has clawed back the full payment that FEMA deep state activists unilaterally gave to NYC migrant hotels."

"There will not be a single penny spent that goes against the interest and safety of the American people," the spokesperson stressed.

What's more, the Daily Caller reported on Tuesday that at least four FEMA officials have since been removed over the fiasco.

"Effective immediately, FEMA is terminating the employment of four individuals for circumventing leadership to unilaterally make egregious payments for luxury NYC hotels for migrants," as DHS statement read.

Scandal was brought to light by Elon Musk

The statement went on to explain that the fired officials consisted of FEMA's chief financial officer as well as two program analysts and one grant specialist.

"Under President Trump and Secretary Noem’s leadership, DHS will not sit idly and allow deep state activists to undermine the will and safety of the American people," the statement concluded.

Information about the spending scandal was originally brought to light on Monday, who heads the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).

The @DOGE team just discovered that FEMA sent $59M LAST WEEK to luxury hotels in New York City to house illegal migrants.

Sending this money violated the law and is in gross insubordination to the President’s executive order.

That money is meant for American disaster relief…

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) February 10, 2025

"The [DOGE] team just discovered that FEMA sent $59M LAST WEEK to luxury hotels in New York City to house illegal migrants," Musk stated.

Musk says payments were an act of "gross insubordination"

"Sending this money violated the law and is in gross insubordination to the President’s executive order," the Tesla CEO and Trump administration figure pointed out.

He concluded by saying, "That money is meant for American disaster relief and instead is being spent on high end hotels for illegals! A clawback demand will be made today to recoup those funds." 

A New York City Hall spokesperson told Fox News that $19 million of the $59 million total went to cover hotel stays while the remaining funds paid for other services.