Cam Hamilton acting administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency testifies before the House Committee on Appropriations dubcommittee on Homeland Security oversight hearing of FEMA on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, May 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)
FEMA’s acting administrator is replaced a day after congressional testimony
WASHINGTON (AP) 鈥 The Federal Emergency Management Agency faced fresh upheaval Thursday just weeks before the start of hurricane season when the acting administrator was pushed out and replaced by another official from the Department of Homeland Security.
Cam Hamilton acting administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency testifies before the House Committee on Appropriations dubcommittee on Homeland Security oversight hearing of FEMA on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, May 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)
By Chris Megerian And Gabriela Aoun Angueira The Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) 鈥 The Federal Emergency Management Agency faced fresh upheaval Thursday just weeks before the start of hurricane season when the acting administrator was pushed out and replaced by another official from the Department of Homeland Security.
The abrupt change came the day after Cameron Hamilton, a former Navy SEAL who held the job for the last few months, testified on Capitol Hill that he did not agree with proposals to dismantle an organization that helps plan for natural disasters and
鈥淚 do not believe it is in the best interest of the American people to eliminate the Federal Emergency Management Agency,鈥 he said Wednesday.
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that individual states, not the federal government, should take the lead on hurricanes, tornadoes and other crises. He has been sharply critical of FEMA’s performance, particularly in
David Richardson, a former Marine Corps officer who served in Afghanistan, Iraq and Africa, will run FEMA for the time being. He does not appear to have any experience in managing natural disasters. He currently serves as the Department of Homeland Security’s assistant secretary for countering weapons of mass destruction.
The administration made no statement about any potential permanent nominee. Nor did the White House answer questions about Richardson’s background, the impact of Hamilton’s testimony or whether the president personally ordered his dismissal.
An administration official, who requested anonymity to discuss a personnel matter, said Hamilton was offered another government job that would be a better fit for him, but did not say what that job would be.
FEMA staff were notified of the change in leadership through a brief email.
Through a January executive order, Trump established a review council tasked with 鈥渞eforming and streamlining the nation鈥檚 emergency management and disaster response system,鈥 according to Homeland Security. The 13-member council is chaired by Noem and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
During Hamilton’s appearance before a House Appropriations subcommittee Wednesday, he shared concerns about how FEMA assistance is administered. He also said the agency had 鈥渆volved into an overextended federal bureaucracy, attempting to manage every type of emergency no matter how minor.鈥
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But when Rep. Rosa DeLauro, a Connecticut Democrat, asked Hamilton how he felt about plans to eliminate FEMA, Hamilton said he did not believe the agency should be eliminated.
鈥淗aving said that,鈥 Hamilton continued, 鈥淚鈥檓 not in a position to make decisions and impact outcomes on whether or not a determination such as consequential as that should be made. That is a conversation that should be had between the president of the United States and this governing body.鈥
In a statement Thursday afternoon, DeLauro expressed support for Hamilton and accused the Republican president of firing 鈥渁nyone who is not blindly loyal to him.鈥
鈥淭he Trump administration must explain why he has been removed from this position,鈥 said DeLauro. 鈥淚ntegrity and morality should not cost you your job.鈥
