President pushes back against big-government disaster response model ahead of hurricane season
Washington, D.C. – The Trump administration has removed Acting FEMA Administrator Cameron Hamilton after he publicly opposed plans to downsize the agency — a bold move that’s energizing efforts to restore state-level control over emergency management and eliminate federal bloat.
Hamilton was dismissed Thursday after telling lawmakers that dismantling FEMA was not “in the best interest” of the American people — a direct contradiction of President Trump’s reform agenda.
According to White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, Hamilton’s remarks disqualified him from continuing in a leadership role.
“This administration expects agency heads to support the President’s goals, not undermine them,” Leavitt said. “Americans deserve efficient, accountable government — not obstruction from within.”
Trump’s Vision: Local Control, Lean Government
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem recently testified before Congress, emphasizing the administration’s push to shift disaster response responsibilities back to the states.
“The current FEMA model is bloated, inefficient, and too focused on woke policy priorities,” Noem said. “We’re empowering states to respond directly to emergencies — and cutting out the red tape.”
President Trump’s budget proposes $646 million in FEMA cuts, specifically targeting “equity-driven” disaster grants and unnecessary federal layers that delay real help to communities in crisis.
New Leadership with a Mission
David Richardson, a top Homeland Security official, will now lead FEMA. Known for his aggressive efficiency tactics, Richardson has launched an internal review to eliminate bureaucratic waste and mission creep.
Internal memos confirm that FEMA will undergo a full “mission analysis” to align operations with President Trump’s America First agenda.
“We’re going to cut the fat and make FEMA work for the people again,” said one senior DHS official.
Massive Shakeup Already Underway
The administration has accepted buyout offers from more than 1,800 FEMA employees, clearing the way for reform. Several controversial grant programs — including those tied to immigration policy and left-wing disaster resilience efforts — are under review or being halted.
Reports confirm that FEMA is also ending costly initiatives like “survivor door-knocks” and redundant outreach programs.
A newly formed White House Reform Council, which includes respected Republican governors and even bipartisan voices, is now guiding FEMA’s transformation.
Critics Sound the Alarm — Supporters Applaud Bold Change
While some former Obama and Biden officials are crying foul, conservatives argue the changes are long overdue.
“This is exactly why Americans elected Donald Trump — to drain the swamp and put the power back in the hands of the people,” said a senior Republican staffer on Capitol Hill.
As hurricane season approaches, FEMA will no longer be the bloated bureaucracy of years past — but a streamlined, accountable agency focused on real results, not political agendas.
