The acting head of the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has stepped down from his position after a short tenure of six months, confirmed by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS). This change marks another shift in a year marked by numerous staff departures, program reductions, and policy changes at the federal disaster response agency.
David Richardson, who faced criticism for his management of the fatal Texas floods earlier this year, has decided to resign from his role. He took over from the previous acting chief, Cameron Hamilton, in May. While the DHS did not provide a specific reason for his departure, a source within FEMA revealed that Richardson had tendered his resignation.
In a statement to The Associated Press, a DHS spokesperson expressed gratitude to David Richardson for his service and wished him success in his future endeavors outside the agency. Richardson, a former U.S. marine officer with experience in Iraq and Afghanistan, led the DHS Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction Office before assuming the FEMA role without prior emergency management background.
Upon succeeding Hamilton, who was dismissed after opposing FEMA’s elimination, Richardson pledged to support President Donald Trump’s strategy of shifting more disaster recovery duties to the states. He also asserted his determination to overcome any resistance from FEMA staff hindering this objective.
Despite his intentions, Richardson’s leadership abilities were questioned by lawmakers and FEMA personnel. His delayed response to the Texas floods and his involvement in managing the crisis remotely raised concerns about his effectiveness. Additionally, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem tightened control over FEMA operations and expenditures, leading to speculation about the impact on response times.
Karen Evans, FEMA’s chief of staff and a former cybersecurity official, will assume the administrator role starting December 1, as confirmed by DHS. While the law mandates emergency management experience for the FEMA administrator, the Trump administration had been appointing temporary leaders to bypass this requirement.
Since Trump’s return to office in January with plans to overhaul or dismantle FEMA, the agency has experienced significant turmoil. A notable percentage of full-time employees, including senior-level staff, have left, and funding for mitigation has been reduced. Furthermore, preparedness grants have been tied to immigration policies, and certain states have had their disaster declaration requests denied.
Trump has established a review council, led by Noem and Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, to propose reforms for FEMA and advocate for increased state responsibility in disaster preparedness, response, and recovery. The council is expected to present its recommendations in December.