Cameron Hamilton, the recently dismissed acting head of FEMA, defended the agency’s performance under the Biden administration while also criticizing the previous Trump-era handling of disasters. His termination came amid political tension and debate over FEMA’s future role in emergency management.

Hamilton was dismissed at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) headquarters in Washington, D.C., by Deputy Secretary Troy Edgar and senior Trump adviser Corey Lewandowski. The firing occurred shortly after Hamilton testified before Congress, where he publicly opposed eliminating FEMA — a move President Trump has openly considered.

During his testimony before a House Appropriations subcommittee, Hamilton expressed disagreement with Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem’s suggestion to shift FEMA responsibilities to state-level agencies. “I do not believe it is in the best interests of the American people to eliminate the Federal Emergency Management Agency,” he stated, contradicting the administration’s emerging position.

Following his dismissal, FEMA announced David Richardson as the new acting administrator. Richardson, previously part of DHS’s Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction Office, replaced Hamilton effective immediately, according to an agency spokesperson. No detailed reason was given for Hamilton’s removal.

Hamilton, a former Navy SEAL, had reportedly considered resigning months earlier as Trump’s administration began taking shape. However, staff within FEMA encouraged him to stay on, reflecting internal concerns about the political direction the agency might take under new leadership.

The firing followed other abrupt dismissals within FEMA, including four officials let go for making what DHS called an “egregious” payment to illegal immigrants. The payment, involving hotel accommodations for migrants in New York City, was allegedly authorized without proper oversight, prompting swift disciplinary action by DHS leadership.