Updated
Updated · The New York Times · Jul 21
Homeland Security Panel Advances 40-Year-Old Cameron Hamilton for FEMA as Agency Rebounds Under Trump
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · Jul 21

Homeland Security Panel Advances 40-Year-Old Cameron Hamilton for FEMA as Agency Rebounds Under Trump

2 articles · Updated · The New York Times · Jul 21

Summary

  • Wednesday’s expected committee vote would send Cameron Hamilton’s nomination to the full Senate, putting the former acting FEMA chief back in line to lead the disaster agency.
  • Hamilton, 40, was fired a day after telling a House hearing in May 2025 that he disagreed with President Trump’s suggestion FEMA should “go away.”
  • His return reflects FEMA’s stronger standing inside the administration after closing the agency proved unpopular with many states.
  • Storm-prone communities still question FEMA’s readiness after staff cuts and talk of shifting more disaster responsibility to states, while critics say Hamilton lacks core operational disaster experience.

Sources

Left100%
The New York Times5h ago
Cameron Hamilton Poised to Lead FEMA After Homeland Security Committee Advance
Bond Buyer5h ago
FEMA under pressure | Bond Buyer

Insights

Fired for defending FEMA, will its new leader now oversee its transformation from primary responder to a support role?
As FEMA shifts responsibility to states, are local communities prepared to face the next major catastrophe alone?

Sources

2 total
Left100%
The New York Times5h ago
Cameron Hamilton Poised to Lead FEMA After Homeland Security Committee Advance
Bond Buyer5h ago
FEMA under pressure | Bond Buyer