News[JURIST] AP is reporting that US Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff is relieving FEMA Director Michael Brown [official profile] of his role in managing the federal government's Hurricane Katrina [JURIST news archive] relief efforts. Brown will reportedly be replaced by Coast Guard Vice Adm. Thad W. Allen [official profile]. The slow federal response to the disaster has prompted much criticism, leading rights groups to condemn the government's failure to protect victims [JURIST report] and prompting lawmakers to consider relaxing the Posse Comitatus Act [JURIST report], which prohibits federal soldiers or other troops under federal control from operating in a law enforcement capacity on US soil. AP has more.
