The acting administrator of FEMA, David Richardson, has resigned after leading the agency for approximately six months. A Trump administration official confirmed the departure to NBC News, noting that Richardson’s successor remains unclear. His tenure came during a period of significant turbulence for the agency, as President Donald Trump’s administration sought to reduce FEMA’s size and functionality.
Richardson was appointed following the ouster of former acting chief Cameron Hamilton by DHS Secretary Kristi Noem. He faced criticism for his absence during the July Texas floods, which killed 130 people, including 27 children at Camp Mystic. It was later revealed he had been on vacation during the holiday weekend. Additionally, staff expressed frustration when he claimed ignorance of the country’s hurricane season in June.
The Trump administration reportedly planned to remove Richardson from his role before his resignation, with sources indicating that efforts to oust him were already underway. His predecessor, who was fired in May, had resisted Trump’s attempts to dismantle FEMA, while the president has stated that state governments should handle many of the agency’s functions.
Richardson’s short leadership period was marked by internal challenges and public scrutiny, culminating in his decision to step down after hurricane season. The resignation follows a two-week notice submitted to the Department of Homeland Security.
