David Richardson, the acting head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), resigned on Monday. (via The Washington Post).
Richardson submitted a resignation letter on Monday to the Department of Homeland Security, which oversees FEMA. However multiple sources told CNN that plans were already in the works at the agency to oust Richardson from the role.
Richardson, a former Marine Corps officer, is the latest acting leader to resign from the role during President Donald Trump’s second term. Richardson served as FEMA’s “Senior Official Performing the Duties” of administrator since May 8, 2025, when Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem abruptly removed his predecessor, Cameron Hamilton. Before leading FEMA, Richardson was Assistant Secretary for the Department of Homeland Security’s Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction Office.
Richardson stepped down as pressure intensified over FEMA’s handling of the catastrophic July floods in central Texas, which left more than 130 people dead, including 27 campers and staff at Camp Mystic along the Guadalupe River. He faced fierce backlash — even from members of Congress — for being largely out of reach during the emergency. FEMA officials stated that they were unable to contact the acting administrator for several hours, delaying coordination of critical search-and-rescue operations.
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