In a surprising move just weeks before hurricane season, the acting head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) was fired. Cameron Hamilton, who had been in the role since January, was dismissed without a clear reason. David Richardson has now taken over as FEMA administrator.
Richardson previously served as the assistant secretary for the Department of Homeland Security’s Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction Office. He has a background as a U.S. Marine Corps ground combat officer, according to the Department of Homeland Security.
Reports indicate that Hamilton’s firing occurred on May 8 at the Homeland Security headquarters, following a testimony he gave to a House Appropriations Committee subcommittee. In his remarks, Hamilton criticized FEMA for straying from its core mission. He expressed concern that the agency had become an overextended bureaucracy, often used by states as a first responder for issues that should be handled locally. He warned that this reliance had created a culture of dependency and inefficiency, delaying aid for those in real need.
Hamilton acknowledged the establishment of a FEMA Review Council by President Trump and expressed respect for its independence. However, he did not support the idea of eliminating FEMA altogether, despite the president’s past criticisms of the agency. Trump has previously referred to FEMA as a "very big disappointment" and has suggested getting rid of it, though such a move would require congressional approval.
This leadership change comes at a critical time, as FEMA has recently ended its Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) program, which provided funding for proactive disaster protection measures. The loss of this program raises concerns among industry leaders about the future of federal support for community resilience and disaster preparedness.
As the new administrator, Richardson will face the challenge of steering FEMA through an important hurricane season while addressing the concerns raised by Hamilton and navigating the agency’s relationship with the current administration.