Cameron Hamilton, the acting head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), was dismissed after publicly testifying before Congress in opposition to the elimination of the agency, directly contradicting President Trump’s efforts to diminish FEMA’s role and transfer disaster relief responsibilities to state governments. Hamilton’s removal was swiftly confirmed by the administration, with David Richardson,
a longtime FEMA official, being named as the interim replacement. The firing underscores the administration’s determination to push forward with its agenda of reducing federal oversight in disaster management,
despite resistance from career emergency response professionals.