President Trump today formally nominated Cameron Hamilton to be the first permanent administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), more than 15 months into his second term. The Trump administration abruptly fired Hamilton as acting head of FEMA a year ago after he contradicted the White House when he told members of Congress that he did not believe eliminating the agency is “in the best interest of the American people.”
Last year, President Trump indicated FEMA should be phased out and signed an executive order directing state and local governments to bear more responsibility for disaster response and recovery. The agency has since had three unqualified acting administrators, including Hamilton, with many of its programs reduced or canceled.
“President Trump is revealing his chaotic governing style by nominating a candidate who was fired last year and who lacks the experience and qualifications for the job as required under law,” says Shana Udvardy, a Union of Concerned Scientists senior climate resilience policy analyst who closely follows FEMA. “Hamilton is now back as a nominee to lead an agency that has been depleted by thousands of job cuts, unstable leadership and resource reductions, leaving FEMA less prepared to confront more frequent and intense extreme weather and climate-fueled disasters. Congress should press him for answers that the American public needs, with the safety and well-being of communities on the line.”
Udvardy notes that communities are also less prepared now after the Trump administration’s withholding of FEMA resources. For example, last April before he was removed as FEMA head, Hamilton wrote a memo to the Office of Management and Budget suggesting actions to advance President Trump’s goal of reducing FEMA’s role in disasters.
Although Hamilton does not have the qualifications to lead FEMA, he is expected to be confirmed by the Senate. He will be serving under Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin, another recently installed and unqualified Trump administration appointee.