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
Senate Holds Rare Weekend Session on SAVE Act and Markwayne Mullin Nomination The Senate convened for a rare weekend session on Sunday, with Republican lawmakers pushing to advance the SAVE America Act. The session also saw progress on President Donald Trump’s nomination of Senator Markwayne Mullin of Oklahoma for the position of Department of Homeland Security director. The Senate voted 54-37 to limit debate on Mullin’s confirmation, setting the stage for a potential vote on Monday. Mullin would replace Secretary Kristi Noem, whom Trump removed from the role. The SAVE Act, a contentious piece of legislation, dominated Senate floor discussions throughout the weekend. The bill, already passed by the House in February 2026, requires voters to present physical proof of citizenship—such as a passport or birth certificate—when registering to vote and mandates government-issued ID for casting ballots in federal elections. However, Trump has insisted on adding further provisions, including stricter voter ID requirements, the elimination of mail-in voting (with exceptions for military, travel, or illness), bans on men participating in women’s sports, and restrictions on gender transition surgeries for children. The bill’s amendment process has intensified debates, with Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.) introducing a provision to prohibit transgender athletes from competing in women’s sports. This amendment has drawn significant criticism, particularly from Democrats, who argue it targets marginalized communities. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-New York, condemned the bill as a form of voter suppression, stating, “This is not common-sense voter ID. This is suppression.” The Brennan Center for Justice highlights the potential impact of the SAVE Act on vulnerable populations.#kristi_noem #chuck_schumer #tommy_tuberville #save_act #markwayne_mullin
Trump Orders DHS to Immediately Pay TSA Officers Amid Partial Shutdown President Donald Trump announced Thursday that he will sign an order directing the Department of Homeland Security to immediately pay Transportation Security Administration officers who have been without paychecks during the ongoing partial government shutdown. In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump instructed newly appointed Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin to “immediately pay our TSA Agents in order to address this Emergency Situation.” The funding lapse at DHS has left TSA officers without their first full paycheck since mid-March, prompting many to call out of work. The agency has faced significant challenges in maintaining operations under the current circumstances, with staff and travelers reporting long delays and disrupted services at major airports. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt addressed the situation in a statement, acknowledging that the administration is “having discussions about a number of ideas” to mitigate the impact of the shutdown. However, she emphasized that no formal plans or preparations are currently in place. Leavitt noted that the “best and easiest way to pay TSA Agents is to fund DHS,” highlighting the administration’s focus on resolving the funding crisis. The announcement comes as the Senate has repeatedly stalled efforts to pass a House-approved bill that would fully fund DHS for a year. Democrats have resisted the legislation, citing their desire to make changes to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) policies. The debate over the bill has intensified following recent events, including an immigration surge in Minneapolis and the fatal shooting of two U.S. citizens by federal officers earlier this year.#donald_trump #white_house #department_of_homeland_security #transportation_security_administration #markwayne_mullin
Trump Orders DHS to Pay TSA Agents Amid Funding Deadlock President Donald Trump announced Thursday he will sign an executive order directing the Department of Homeland Security to immediately pay Transportation Security Administration (TSA) agents, aiming to resolve a government funding impasse that has left thousands of workers unpaid and caused severe delays at airports. The move comes as Congress remains deadlocked over a budget deal to fund DHS, which has led to a partial government shutdown since February 14. Over 46,000 TSA employees are at risk of missing their second paycheck this weekend, with many having worked without pay for over a month. The order, which Trump described as a response to “Democrat Chaos” at airports, instructs Secretary Markwayne Mullin to prioritize TSA compensation. However, legal experts question the president’s authority to unilaterally fund the agency. Max Stier, CEO of the Partnership for Public Service, noted that Trump’s decision to act without congressional approval raises questions about the legality of the move. “This has been a problem for over a month now,” Stier said, adding that the president’s past actions have often pushed legal boundaries. The funding impasse has left TSA struggling to manage security operations, with long lines at major airports and staff shortages. Over 500 TSA officers have resigned during the shutdown, and thousands more have called out, exacerbating delays. Meanwhile, other DHS divisions, such as Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), continue to receive payments from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, a law signed by Trump in July 2025. However, these funds are earmarked for specific purposes, and redirecting them without congressional approval is legally questionable.#trump #dhs #tsa #john_fetterman #markwayne_mullin
Markwayne Mullin Confirmed as DHS Secretary Amid Agency Turmoil The Senate confirmed Sen. Markwayne Mullin as the next secretary of the Department of Homeland Security on Monday night, elevating the Oklahoma Republican to lead an agency at the center of a prolonged government shutdown and contentious immigration enforcement debates. Mullin’s nomination, approved by a 54-45 vote, marks his ascension to the role just weeks after President Donald Trump named him to replace Secretary Kristi Noem, who was ousted earlier this month amid criticism over her handling of the fallout from fatal shootings of two individuals in Minnesota. Mullin’s confirmation comes as the Department of Homeland Security faces a funding crisis, with its budget lapse persisting since February 14. Lawmakers and the administration have engaged in negotiations to resolve the shutdown, but a deal remains elusive. Democrats have pushed for reforms to immigration enforcement procedures, citing concerns over the use of force following the deaths of Alex Pretti and Renee Good in Minnesota. Mullin’s confirmation vote reflected deep partisan divisions, with GOP Sen. Rand Paul voting against the nomination and Democratic Sens. John Fetterman and Martin Heinrich supporting it. Mullin, a staunch Trump ally, has long advocated for a hardline approach to immigration, but his confirmation hearing revealed a more nuanced stance. During the process, he emphasized his commitment to being accessible to Congress, vowing not to change his cellphone number and acknowledging the frustrations of lawmakers who feel the administration is unresponsive.#department_of_homeland_security #kristi_noem #markwayne_mullin #alex_pretti #renee_good
