Trump Nominates Cameron Hamilton to Lead FEMA After Previous Ouster

U.S. President Donald Trump has officially nominated Cameron Hamilton to head the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), reviving the former acting director’s role within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) nearly a year after he was removed from the position.

The White House confirmed Monday that Hamilton’s nomination has been forwarded to the U.S. Senate for approval. The move comes amid ongoing debates over FEMA’s future and the Trump administration’s broader restructuring of federal emergency management operations.

Hamilton, a former Navy SEAL, previously served as FEMA’s acting director before being dismissed last year after reportedly disagreeing with Trump and then-Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem regarding the agency’s direction. Sources close to the administration had claimed Trump allies were dissatisfied with Hamilton’s pace in reducing FEMA’s size and influence.

The nomination follows major leadership changes inside DHS. Trump removed Kristi Noem from her post in March and appointed Markwayne Mullin as the new Homeland Security Secretary. The administration has also overseen significant staffing reductions across FEMA since Trump returned to office in January 2025.

Emergency management experts have expressed concern that downsizing FEMA could weaken disaster preparedness across the United States. Analysts warn that state and local governments may struggle to handle hurricanes, floods, wildfires, and other natural disasters without strong federal coordination and support.

Noem’s leadership at DHS faced criticism from both human rights advocates and emergency response groups due to aggressive immigration enforcement policies tied to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and cuts affecting FEMA operations. Meanwhile, acting ICE Director Todd Lyons is expected to leave the agency at the end of May.

In a recent development, FEMA reinstated more than a dozen employees who had been placed on leave last August after publicly criticizing agency leadership and internal policies.