Trump’s Acting FEMA Chief Fired Just One Day After Publicly Defying Administration

FEMA Chief Fired After Opposing Trump on Agency’s Future

Cameron Hamilton, the acting administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), was fired on Thursday—just one day after publicly opposing President Donald Trump’s push to dismantle the agency. Win McNamee-Pool via Imagn Images

DHS Confirms Firing Amid Internal Rift Over Disaster Policy

The dismissal, confirmed to CNN by a spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), reflects growing internal tensions over the future of federal disaster management. United States Department of Homeland Security / Wikimedia

Hamilton Escorted Out After Testifying in Defense of FEMA

Hamilton, appointed by Trump, was reportedly escorted out of FEMA headquarters after testifying before the House Appropriations Committee, where he defended FEMA’s role and staff.

“As the senior advisor to the President on disasters and emergency management, and to the Secretary of Homeland Security, I do not believe it is in the best interest of the American people to eliminate the Federal Emergency Management Agency,” Hamilton told lawmakers on Wednesday. Federal Emergency Management Agency / Wikimedia

DHS: Noem Had Discretion to Remove FEMA Chief

DHS spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin told CNN the firing was “at the discretion of [Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem] to have the personnel she prefers.”

David Richardson, another DHS official, has replaced Hamilton as acting administrator. @TriciaOhio / X

Trump, Noem Double Down on Calls to Eliminate FEMA

Both President Trump and Secretary Noem have spent months pushing to eliminate FEMA, arguing that the agency is inefficient, politicized, and unnecessary. “President Trump has been very clear since the beginning that he believes that FEMA and its response in many, many circumstances has failed the American people,” Noem testified before the same committee on Tuesday.

Noem added that FEMA “should be eliminated in empowering states to respond to disasters with federal government support.” DHSgov / Wikimedia

Hamilton Defends Agency, Warns Against Sudden Overhaul

Hamilton, however, called FEMA’s staff “one of the greatest workforces in the entire federal government” and advocated for cutting bureaucratic red tape while focusing the agency on major disasters. He acknowledged the need for reforms but cautioned against hasty dismantling: “This will not be a radical transition in an instant,” he said. “This has to occur in a phased approach, where we mentor states and locals on building capacity and capability.” Fry1989 / Wikimedia

Hamilton Blasts Misuse of FEMA: “Culture of Dependency”

He also criticized the agency’s use by state officials: “FEMA is all too often used by states and public officials as a financial backstop for routine issues... This misalignment has fostered a culture of dependency, waste, inefficiency, while also delaying crucial aid to Americans who are in genuine need.” FEMA / Wikimedia