Hamilton Nominated to Lead FEMA Amidst Turmoil

President Trump has nominated Cameron Hamilton to lead the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Hamilton, a former Navy SEAL, previously held the role in an acting capacity before being removed in 2025 following a disagreement with administration officials over the agency's future.

Hamilton is a former Navy SEAL with experience in emergency planning at the State Department and DHS.

FEMA has lacked a Senate-confirmed leader since Trump took office. If confirmed, Hamilton would take the helm just as the Atlantic hurricane season begins. Last week, a Trump-appointed council recommended major changes to FEMA's operations.

Removal and Aftermath

In May 2025, then-DHS Secretary Kristi Noem stated that Trump believed FEMA should be eliminated. That same week, Hamilton testified to Congress that he did not support eliminating the agency.

Hamilton was replaced the following day. He later described his relationship with DHS officials as "very hostile."

After Hamilton's departure, FEMA was criticized for slow disaster response. Noem required personal sign-off on contracts over $100,000, causing delays. In one instance, call center contracts expired during deadly floods in Texas, leaving thousands of survivor calls unanswered.

Hamilton publicly criticized Noem's policies, stating they added bureaucracy and lengthened wait times. He suggested that claims of improved efficiency were inaccurate.

Statements

Hamilton wrote on LinkedIn that Noem's policies imposed "entirely new forms of bureaucracy" delaying claim payments and resource deployment.

Noem defended her decisions, asserting FEMA was running efficiently.