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Trump taps former FEMA director to lead the disaster agency again
TL;DR
President Trump has nominated Cameron Hamilton to lead FEMA again, a year after he was removed from the position. If confirmed by the Senate, Hamilton will oversee the agency during the upcoming Atlantic hurricane season.
Key points
- Cameron Hamilton nominated to lead FEMA again
- Previously removed by Trump administration
- FEMA has been without a Senate-confirmed leader
- Hamilton will oversee the agency during hurricane season
Mentioned in this story
Cameron HamiltonFederal Emergency Management AgencyDonald Trump
Cameron Hamilton, above, has been nominated by President Trump to lead the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). He previously led the agency in an acting capacity, but was removed by the Trump administration about a year ago after telling Congress that did not think the agency should be eliminated. Jose Luis Magana/AP
Jose Luis Magana/AP
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.
"President Trump has been very clear since the beginning that he believes that FEMA and its response in many, many circumstances has failed the American people, and that FEMA as it exists today should be eliminated," former Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem told reporters in May 2025.
That same week, Hamilton testified at a Congressional hearing and told lawmakers, "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
Q&A
Why was Cameron Hamilton removed from FEMA last year?
Cameron Hamilton was removed from FEMA after expressing to Congress that he did not believe the agency should be eliminated.
What is the significance of Hamilton's nomination for FEMA?
Hamilton's nomination is significant as FEMA has lacked a Senate-confirmed leader since Trump took office, and he will lead the agency during the critical Atlantic hurricane season.
When will the Senate confirm Cameron Hamilton's nomination?
The timeline for the Senate confirmation of Cameron Hamilton's nomination has not been specified, but it is expected to occur before the Atlantic hurricane season begins.
