Trump to Nominate Cameron Hamilton as FEMA Administrator

Hamilton, previously removed from the acting head role nearly a year ago, defended the agency's existence during congressional testimony in May 2025.

served as the senior official performing the duties of FEMA administrator during the first five months of Trump's second term, from January to May 2025.

As a former Navy SEAL and combat medic, he had four tours in Afghanistan and later supported crisis response teams at the State Department. Before his acting role at FEMA, Hamilton oversaw the Department of Homeland Security's division for emergency first responders.

to Removal In May 2025, Hamilton testified before a House committee that he did not believe FEMA should be eliminated.

This stance contradicted previous statements by Trump, who had expressed intentions to dismantle the agency. The day after the testimony, Hamilton was removed from his position. >"This is a personnel matter in regards to the Department of Homeland Security, but my understanding is that this individual testified saying something that was contrary to what the president believes and the goals of this administration in regards to FEMA policy.

And so, of course, we want to make sure that people in every position are advancing the administration’s goals," — White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt, May 2025 (NBC News). Tricia McLaughlin, then a DHS spokesperson, stated at the time that the removal was not a response to his testimony.

However, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt suggested the testimony factored into the decision.

Hamilton later told NBC News he was pushed out by Corey Lewandowski, a special government employee and top adviser to then-Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.

Wednesday, Hamilton met with Trump and Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin at the White House to discuss FEMA opportunities, according to an administration official.

The Department of Homeland Security stated it has no personnel announcements at this time. The White House declined to comment, and Hamilton did not respond to requests for comment. Earlier this month, Mullin reversed a rule implemented by Noem requiring personal approval for any DHS spending over $100,000.

" In an early April post on X, Hamilton thanked Trump for the previous opportunity to lead FEMA and expressed confidence in Mullin's leadership.

Nomination Implications If confirmed by the Senate, Hamilton would be the first full-time FEMA administrator in Trump's second term.

FEMA has been led by acting leaders for the past 15 months. The nomination occurs as DHS has remained shut down since mid-February, shortly after Mullin was sworn in as secretary. During his 2025 testimony, Hamilton argued that FEMA had become an overextended bureaucracy managing minor emergencies that should be handled locally.

He described it as fostering dependency, waste, and inefficiency, delaying aid to those in genuine need. Trump proposed winding down FEMA operations early last year, planning to phase it out after hurricane season. However, following catastrophic floods in Texas last summer, Noem stated that Trump no longer wanted to close the agency but to remake it for better deployment and state support.

“Instead of being a last resort, FEMA is all too often used by states and public officials as a financial backstop for routine issues that, frankly should be handled locally,”

Both sources agree on the expected nomination and Hamilton's background, with no contradictions noted.