New FEMA Head Warns Staff Against Resisting Trump Agenda

David Richardson, the newly appointed head of FEMA, issued a forceful warning to staff on his first day, stating he would 'run right over' anyone who resisted his plans to implement President Trump's vision for the agency. Richardson emphasized that all authority within FEMA now rests with him and instructed staff to suspend delegation of authority, signaling a dramatic centralization of power. His remarks come amid the Trump administration's push to significantly downsize or dismantle FEMA, shifting disaster management responsibilities to individual states and emphasizing cost-sharing. Richardson, a former Marine combat leader, referenced his background and readiness to overcome internal resistance, noting that approximately 20% of staff typically resist change. The leadership change follows the removal of the previous acting director after public opposition to disbanding FEMA, with Richardson already directing staff to identify agency redundancies. These moves have immediate implications for disaster relief efforts, particularly for states like Arkansas awaiting federal assistance decisions.