FEMA Shakeup Amid Calls for Agency Elimination

Cameron Hamilton, acting administrator of FEMA, was fired a day after testifying before Congress that eliminating FEMA would not serve the public's best interests, contradicting President Trump's intention to dismantle the agency. Both Trump and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem have criticized FEMA as inefficient and advocated for shifting disaster management primarily to states. Hamilton's abrupt dismissal, just weeks before hurricane season, has sparked bipartisan concerns about FEMA's preparedness and leadership stability. David Richardson has been named as Hamilton's replacement. The Trump administration has also proposed major budget cuts to FEMA and faces accusations of selectively withholding disaster relief funds. This leadership shakeup is part of a broader pattern of turnover and policy changes, raising questions about the country's readiness for upcoming natural disasters.