Trump Expected to Nominate Cameron Hamilton to Lead FEMA President Donald Trump is set to nominate Cameron Hamilton, a former U.S. Navy SEAL who was previously fired as the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s acting leader, to serve as its permanent administrator. The move comes after Hamilton was dismissed from his role in May 2024, just days after he testified before a Capitol Hill committee about his disagreements with proposals to dismantle FEMA. The agency, which coordinates the federal government’s response to disasters, has been without a permanent leader since Trump’s second term began, relying on three temporary appointees. Hamilton’s tenure as FEMA’s acting administrator lasted from January to May 2024. During his time in the role, he criticized plans to reduce the agency’s size, which Trump had repeatedly advocated. In a testimony to the House Appropriations subcommittee, Hamilton stated, “I do not believe it is in the best interest of the American people to eliminate the Federal Emergency Management Agency.” His dismissal followed a heated exchange with officials over the agency’s structure, as Trump sought to reshape FEMA’s role in disaster response. The potential nomination of Hamilton marks a pivotal moment for FEMA, which faces uncertainty amid ongoing debates about its structure and effectiveness. Trump has emphasized shifting disaster management responsibilities to states and has established a FEMA Review Council to propose sweeping reforms. Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin has publicly supported FEMA while advocating for changes, contrasting with his predecessor, Kristi Noem, who had pledged to “eliminate FEMA as it exists today.” Noem’s tenure was marked by conflicts with the review council, which Trump created to oversee potential reforms.#trump #kristi_noem #fema #markwayne_mullin #cameron_hamilton
Trump to Nominate Cameron Hamilton as FEMA Chief After Less Than a Year of Previous Tenure President Donald Trump is set to nominate Cameron Hamilton to lead the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) less than a year after he was abruptly dismissed from the role. Three individuals familiar with the decision confirmed to CNN that Hamilton, a former acting administrator of FEMA, will be nominated despite his recent termination. The move marks a significant shift in the administration’s approach to the agency, which had previously faced intense scrutiny and restructuring under former Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. Hamilton’s initial appointment to FEMA occurred at the start of Trump’s second term, during a period when the administration was actively considering dismantling the agency and transferring disaster response responsibilities to state governments. However, his tenure quickly became contentious. Hamilton clashed with Noem and her key ally, Corey Lewandowski, over the agency’s future. Lewandowski reportedly criticized Hamilton for not acting swiftly or decisively enough to implement the administration’s plans. Meanwhile, Hamilton himself grew increasingly vocal about preserving FEMA, arguing that while the agency required reforms, its dissolution would be detrimental to public safety. The conflict reached a critical point in May 2025, when Hamilton was informed of his impending firing just hours before he was scheduled to testify before a congressional committee. Despite the looming threat, he proceeded with his testimony, publicly opposing the administration’s stance on FEMA’s elimination. “I do not believe it is in the best interest of the American people to eliminate the Federal Emergency Management Agency,” he stated during the hearing.#donald_trump #kristi_noem #fema #corey_lewandowski #cameron_hamilton
