Cameron Hamilton dismissed as acting FEMA chief after congressional testimony
Cameron Hamilton, the acting head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, has been dismissed after publicly opposing efforts to eliminate the agency during congressional testimony. His removal was confirmed by the Trump administration, which named longtime FEMA official David Richardson as interim replacement.
Hamilton’s firing came after he testified before Congress against proposals to dismantle FEMA and shift primary disaster relief responsibilities to state governments. The move places him at odds with the administration’s stated goal of reducing the agency’s federal role.
The dismissal highlights ongoing tensions over the future of federal disaster management. President Trump has repeatedly criticized FEMA’s spending and efficiency, arguing that states are better positioned to handle emergency response. Supporters of the shift frame it as a cost-saving measure that would streamline operations. Critics counter that many states lack the resources and logistics to manage large-scale disasters without federal support.
The personnel change follows other recent actions at the agency, including the termination of several officials linked to a $59 million program that housed undocumented immigrants in hotels during the COVID-19 pandemic.
