Trump taps former FEMA director to lead the disaster agency again

President Trump nominated Cameron Hamilton to lead the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), approximately one year after the administration removed Hamilton from the same position. FEMA has been without a Senate-confirmed leader since President Trump took office. Hamilton previously led the agency in an acting capacity. If he is confirmed by the Senate, he will re-take control of the agency as it heads into the Atlantic hurricane season. Last week, a Trump appointed council of disaster experts recommended major changes to how FEMA operates. Hamilton is a former Navy Seal who worked on emergency planning for terrorism events for the State Department and Department of Homeland Security (DHS), according to an official biographical summary submitted to Congress when he appeared as a witness last year.

Hamilton temporarily led FEMA in the spring of 2025, but was removed by the Trump administration after a dramatic public disagreement with top administration officials about whether the agency should continue to exist. Former Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem told reporters in May 2025 that President Trump believed FEMA should be eliminated. Hamilton disagreed, stating “I do not believe it is in the best interest of the American people to eliminate the Federal Emergency Management Agency.” The next day, Hamilton was replaced. He later described his relationship with DHS officials as “very hostile” on the podcast Disaster Tough. Since then, Hamilton has spoken out against the Trump administration’s approach to helping survivors of disasters.

Under Hamilton’s successor, FEMA was slow to help those who had survived hurricanes, tornadoes, floods and wildfires. Secretary Noem, who was fired from her position at DHS in March, required that she personally sign off on all contracts over $100,000, causing delays in assistance. Hamilton criticized Noem’s policies for creating new bureaucracy that lengthened wait times for claim recipients. He also expressed concerns that the administration’s policies were not making FEMA run more efficiently. Hamilton now faces Senate confirmation hearings. Lawmakers from both parties have expressed frustration with long waits for disaster assistance and federal grant money to protect people from floods, fires, and storms.