FEMA official Gregg Phillips placed on leave after past comments draw scrutiny.
Gregg Phillips, who headed FEMA's Office of Response and Recovery, was placed on leave in June 2026. The agency stated the leave was for personal reasons, though one report cited concerns about public perception. Phillips had previously drawn attention for claims about teleporting to a Waffle House and allegations of noncitizen voting in the 2016 election.
13
Divergence score
2 outlets covered it, splitting into 2 framing camps across 2 bias groups.
2 camps
2 bias groups
The spectrum · how 2 outlets placed this story
LeftCenterRight
Newsmax
Washington Post
Supportive of action
Neutral
Dismissive
Critical
Alarmist
International angle
Widest split · the two outlets furthest apart, and who published first
Furthest apart on this story
Newsmax
FEMA Official on Leave After Waffle House Claim - Newsmax
personnel transition amid overhaul · neutral
Washington Post
FEMA official who said he teleported to a Waffle House steps away from post - The Washington Post
controversial figure exits · negative
First to report
- Washington Postfirst
- Newsmax+16.7 h
By each outlet's earliest publish time in this story. Feeds that index slowly can appear later than they printed.
The split, in one line
Newsmax frames Phillips as a victim of broader leadership changes, noting he played a pivotal role in stabilizing the office. The Washington Post emphasizes his controversial past, leading with his sparked controversy voting claims.
How each outlet covered it
Lightly covered so far
Too few outlets to map a left-right split. Here is each take as it stands.
Sparse coverage · 2 outlets
“FEMA official who said he teleported to a Waffle House steps away from post - The Washington Post”
“FEMA Official on Leave After Waffle House Claim - Newsmax”
6 tracked claims across 2 outlets
Fact ledger
All6Claimed2Corroborated4
1/2
Claimed
Phillips was asked to step aside due to concerns about public perception.
Corroborated
Disputed
5 more tracked claimsSign up free to see the full ledger