Acting FEMA Administrator David Richardson resigned Monday. according to multiple sources familiar with the situation.
Richardson, who temporarily took over in May after former acting administrator Cam Hamilton was essentially fired by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.
Richardson was also in charge of the department’s Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction office. It is unclear whether he will continue to serve in that role.
It is unclear who will lead the disaster management agency.
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Acting Administrator David Richardson testifies before the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings and Emergency Management in the Rayburn House Office Building, July 23, 2025, in Washington, DC.
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Richardson told staff at an all-hands meeting in June that he didn’t know hurricane season had begun, according to sources familiar with the meeting.
It was unclear whether Richardson was joking, but a Department of Homeland Security spokesperson argued that he was.
Asked by reporters during a White House news conference if President Donald Trump was “still comfortable” with Richardson after his comments, press secretary Karoline Leavitt dismissed concerns and said FEMA is taking the hurricane season “seriously, contrary to some of the reports we’ve seen based on jokes that were made and leaks from meetings.”
Richardson’s Comments an internal review followed stating that FEMA was “not ready” for the 2025 hurricane season in mid-May.
The DHS spokesperson denied that FEMA is unprepared, saying, “Despite petty attempts to falsely portray a joke as policy, there is no uncertainty about what FEMA will do this hurricane season.”
“FEMA is very focused on disaster response and protecting the American people,” the spokesperson added.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., sharply criticized Richardson: posting on X that “he doesn’t know why he hasn’t been fired yet.”
“Trump’s FEMA chief is incompetent,” said Sen. Ed Markey, D-Mass. aggregate. “People will die.”
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
