The head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) was swiftly removed as acting agency administrator just 24 hours after publicly rejecting President Trump’s plan to reform the agency.
The dismissal came mere weeks before hurricane season begins on June 1, highlighting the administration’s determination to overhaul inefficient federal agencies despite establishment resistance.
Hamilton’s firing occurred after a meeting with Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.
The former administrator had testified before Congress that FEMA should not be disbanded, directly contradicting the Trump administration’s vision of empowering states to handle their own disaster response without federal bureaucracy.
Secretary Noem explained the administration’s position clearly during her congressional testimony:
“The president has indicated he wants to eliminate FEMA as it exists today, and to have states have more control over their emergency management response. He wants to empower local governments and support them and how they respond to their people.”
The leadership change was announced to FEMA employees via email, with former DHS assistant secretary David Richardson appointed as the interim administrator.
This executive decision aligns with Trump’s broader goal of trimming bloated federal agencies and returning power to local governments.
Hamilton declared during his testimony, which ultimately cost him his position, “I do not believe it is in the best interests of the American people to eliminate the Federal Emergency Management Agency.”
This public contradiction of administration policy proved fatal to his tenure.
Meanwhile, President Trump has consistently criticized FEMA’s inefficiency and bureaucratic approach to disaster management.
His administration is advancing a bold plan that would provide disaster relief funding directly to states.
This would cut out the middleman and reduce the federal government’s outsized role in local emergencies.
The administration has established an executive order and review council to evaluate FEMA’s future operations.
Additionally, some states asserted they lack resources to handle increased disaster response duties, but the Trump plan would provide them with direct funding and greater autonomy.
This approach would eliminate layers of bureaucracy that often delay critical aid during emergencies while respecting state sovereignty.
As expected, Democrats have criticized Hamilton’s firing. Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) suggested the dismissal was due to a lack of loyalty rather than performance issues.
At the same time, over 200 FEMA employees have already been dismissed as part of the agency’s restructuring, with more departures expected as the reform continues.
The timing of this decisive action demonstrates the administration’s commitment to implementing meaningful government reform even as hurricane season approaches.
This bold stance signals that President Trump remains serious about draining the swamp and restructuring federal agencies that have grown too powerful and unaccountable to the American people.
