The acting chief of the Federal Emergency Management Agency left his job on Monday after just six months, according to the Department of Homeland Security, marking yet another disruption in an agency struggling with mass staff departures, program cuts, and policy upheaval. David Richardson departed the position after succeeding Cameron Hamilton. DHS did not provide specifics on the reasons behind Richardson's departure.
Richardson, a former Marine Corps officer with service in Iraq and Afghanistan, had no prior experience in emergency management when he assumed his role in May. His tenure faced significant scrutiny following his commitment to align with former President Donald Trump’s objectives of reallocating disaster recovery responsibilities to states. Richardson's leadership faced critiques from lawmakers and FEMA individuals alike.
When asked about his delayed response to the July floods that devastated central Texas and resulted in at least 136 fatalities, he noted he remained in Washington, D.C. to address bureaucratic challenges, citing family camping obligations. His short and embattled term raises concerns about FEMA's capacity to effectively manage federal disaster responses.
Richardson, a former Marine Corps officer with service in Iraq and Afghanistan, had no prior experience in emergency management when he assumed his role in May. His tenure faced significant scrutiny following his commitment to align with former President Donald Trump’s objectives of reallocating disaster recovery responsibilities to states. Richardson's leadership faced critiques from lawmakers and FEMA individuals alike.
When asked about his delayed response to the July floods that devastated central Texas and resulted in at least 136 fatalities, he noted he remained in Washington, D.C. to address bureaucratic challenges, citing family camping obligations. His short and embattled term raises concerns about FEMA's capacity to effectively manage federal disaster responses.
