Return of FEMA Disaster Chief Could Mark a New Era
Cooper said the agency should send disaster money faster, with 10,000 FEMA headquarters staff tripled during COVID, while shifting more minor cases to states.
- The U.S. Senate moved closer Thursday to confirming Cameron Hamilton as administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, with the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee expected to advance his nomination today.
- Hamilton, who served as acting administrator until his firing last May, returns after testifying to Congress that he opposed President Donald Trump's suggestion to eliminate FEMA.
- A former Navy SEAL, Hamilton managed more than 4,000 emergency responders in prior roles; critics including Massachusetts Maritime Academy professor Samantha Montano argue he lacks extensive disaster-specific experience required by law.
- The FEMA Review Council, including consultant Mark Cooper, issued recommendations in May emphasizing faster disaster aid delivery, reduced headquarters bureaucracy, and greater state responsibility for recovery efforts.
- While the administration seeks to shift disaster responsibility to states, some communities fear reduced federal support. A coalition called Sabotaging Our Safety warns that raising damage thresholds could leave fewer communities eligible for federal recovery assistance.
19 Articles
19 Articles
Daily Montanan
Onetime acting FEMA chief fired by Trump now on track to be confirmed to head agency
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Senate on Wednesday moved one step closer to confirming the first administrator for the Federal Emergency Management Agency since President Donald Trump took office last year. The Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee voted 8-4 to send Cameron Hamilton’s nomination to the floor, though it wasn’t immediately clear whether the full […]
Onetime acting FEMA chief fired by Trump now on track to be confirmed to head agency • West Virginia Watch
FEMA nominee Cameron Hamilton testifies before the U.S. Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee on June 17, 2026. (Screenshot from committee webcast) WASHINGTON — The U.S. Senate on Wednesday moved one step closer to confirming the first administrator for the Federal Emergency Management Agency since President Donald Trump took office last year. The Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee voted 8-4 to send Camer…
Former acting FEMA chief Trump fired now on track to head agency
FEMA nominee Cameron Hamilton testifies before the U.S. Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee on June 17, 2026. (Screenshot from committee webcast) WASHINGTON — The U.S. Senate on Wednesday moved one step closer to confirming the first administrator for the Federal Emergency Management Agency since President Donald Trump took office last year. The Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee voted 8-4 to send Camer…
Return of FEMA disaster chief could mark a new era
WASHINGTON — When Cameron Hamilton took the helm of the Federal Emergency Management Agency at the start of President Donald Trump’s second term, he wasn’t an obvious choice: He had worked in emergency situations in combat zones and on the U.S.-Mexico border but hadn’t handled natural disasters. The post Return of FEMA disaster chief could mark a new era appeared first on West Hawaii Today.
The Advocate
NolaOn the Record with Mark Cooper: 'FEMA is not going away'
Mark Cooper, former Louisiana emergency and FEMA review council, says things are looking up for FEMA after After President Donald Trump threatened to eliminate the federal disaster response agency. Read his conversation with columnist Stephanie Grace on how that happened and what to expect this hurricane season and beyond.
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