Just one day after telling Congress he opposed eliminating the US Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Cameron Hamilton, the interim administrator, was sacked Thursday.
Former Navy SEAL and Trump appointee Hamilton testified before a House Appropriations panel Wednesday that FEMA shouldn’t be dissolved even though it is “overextended.”
He argued for a progressive reorganization instead of a sudden cutback. “I do not believe it is in the best interests of the American people to eliminate FEMA,” said Hamilton addressing legislators.
According to Politico, he was taken off his role the next day by Trump advisor Corey Lewandowski and Homeland Security Deputy Secretary Troy Edgar.
Publically criticising FEMA, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and President Trump have demanded downsizing or dissolution of the agency.
Hamilton’s firing falls just a few weeks before June 1’s start of hurricane season. FEMA is aggressively getting states and communities ready for possible calamities.
David Richardson, his replacement, has limited experience with emergency management and is currently assistant secretary at DHS’s Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction Office.
Originally from chemical, biological, and radiological threat reduction, Richardson is a Marine veteran.
Former FEMA officials noted Richardson had a steep learning curve and raised worry about the leadership shift just during hurricane season.
FEMA has experienced significant staffing losses since Trump’s comeback to power; over 2,000 staff members have left in response to budgetary cuts.
Agency officials considered Hamilton as a stabilizing leader as he had supervised reforms and backed FEMA’s mission.
The White House has not said anything on Hamilton’s firing.
“President Trump fires anyone who is not blindly loyal,” Representative Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) said denouncing the action.
