Acting FEMA administrator booted day after undercutting Trump to lawmakers

There’s been a change at the top of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) after acting administrator Cameron Hamilton was replaced, drawing howls of indignation from Democrats.

According to media reports, Hamilton was escorted out of FEMA headquarters on Thursday, a day after he undercut President Donald J. Trump by telling lawmakers that he disagreed that the sprawling agency should be dismantled amid controversies over the failed response to recent hurricanes, mismanagement and the appalling discrimination against Trump supporters by FEMA employees.

Rep. @rosadelauro: “Does this administration seek to eliminate FEMA and do you support eliminating FEMA?”

Acting FEMA Administrator Hamilton (@FEMA_Cam): “I don’t believe it’s in the best interest of the American people to eliminate the Federal Emergency Management Agency.” pic.twitter.com/JlqalSqc8w

— CSPAN (@cspan) May 7, 2025

“As the senior advisor to the President on disasters and emergency management, and to the Secretary of Homeland Security, I do not believe it is in the best interest of the American people to eliminate the Federal Emergency Management Agency,” Hamilton told purple haired Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.) when asked whether he agreed that FEMA should be broken up.

“Having said that, I am not in a position to make decisions and impact outcomes on whether or not a determination as consequential as that should be made. That is a conversation that should be had between the President of the United States and this governing body,” he added, giving Democrats and the media ammo for their war on Trump.

“Effective today, David Richardson is now serving as the Senior Official Performing the duties of the FEMA Administrator,” a FEMA spokesperson told Fox News Digital in a Thursday email. “Cameron Hamilton is no longer serving in this capacity.”

According to a report from Politico, Hamilton considered resigning two months ago but was convinced to stay on by FEMA staffers. The outlet claims that he was subjected to a lie detector test after being suspected of leaking information about a private meeting with Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and Trump advisor Corey Lewandowski. He was reportedly cleared by the test.

Democrats lashed out after Hamilton’s ouster.

“As Ranking Member of the Homeland Security Subcommittee on Emergency Management, with direct oversight of FEMA, I find this decision deeply troubling and dangerous. FEMA plays a critical role in the Department of Homeland Security, providing life-saving resources in the wake of disasters. FEMA exists to save lives,” Rep. Tim Kennedy (D-NY) said in a statement.

See my statement on the firing of acting FEMA Administrator Cameron Hamilton below. pic.twitter.com/6zyOtjPVEr

— Rep. Tim Kennedy (@RepTimKennedy) May 8, 2025

“Cameron Hamilton—the acting FEMA administrator—defied President Trump yesterday when he told Congress that it’s not in the best interests of America to eliminate FEMA. Today, he was fired,” Sen. Peter Welch (D-Vt.) said in a post to X. The Trump Administration is sabotaging disaster recovery for Americans across the country.”

Cameron Hamilton—the acting FEMA administrator—defied President Trump yesterday when he told Congress that it’s not in the best interests of America to eliminate FEMA.

Today, he was fired.

The Trump Administration is sabotaging disaster recovery for Americans across the…

— Senator Peter Welch (@SenPeterWelch) May 8, 2025

“It’s telling that Mr. Hamilton was fired when he told the truth and refused to toe the administration line with its plans to eliminate FEMA. Clearly this brainless idea – that Trump and Kristi Noem keep touting – is not faring well even in MAGA world,” said Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.) in a statement.

NEW: After telling Congress it’s dangerous to eliminate FEMA, Cameron Hamilton was fired.

Ranking Member @BennieGThompson: Trump’s plan to eliminate FEMA is so reckless even his own officials are against it… and getting sacked for it.

Hurricane season starts in 3 weeks! pic.twitter.com/Hdxh3CwO2r

— House Homeland Security Committee Democrats (@HomelandDems) May 8, 2025

“With hurricane season starting in only three weeks, we know that FEMA’s workforce has been decimated by DOGE – and we have no idea how well it is actually preparing for upcoming hurricanes. If a major disaster were to strike, I fear the Trump administration would have little to offer besides more chaos – putting lives at unnecessary risk,” added Thompson, the racist former chair of the defunct J6 committee.

“Don’t be fooled – staff layoffs and the freezing of grant funds will continue to erode the public’s trust, furthering President Trump and Secretary Noem’s plan to dismantle FEMA piece by piece. These actions won’t just weaken emergency response across the country, they will cost lives,” Kennedy added. “When that happens, President Trump, Secretary Noem, and every member of Congress who remains silent will be responsible. This is not real leadership. This is a dereliction of duty.”

As is always the case, Democrat outrage is driven by simple bad faith and a compulsive need to oppose anything that Trump does. It also does not have a footing in the reality-based world where any manager in the private sector would be fired immediately for publicly going against a company’s CEO.

Staff Writer

Chris Donaldson is an ordinary American who is concerned about rampant corruption as well as the ongoing attacks on our way of life by those who have contempt for our hard-earned freedoms. A Navy veteran, he has been a frequent contributor to conservative websites and resides in Florida.

Latest posts by Chris Donaldson (see all)

We have no tolerance for comments containing violence, racism, profanity, vulgarity, doxing, or discourteous behavior. If a comment is spam, instead of replying to it please click the ∨ icon below and to the right of that comment. Thank you for partnering with us to maintain fruitful conversation.