Acting FEMA Head Reassures Staff of Agency’s Vital Role Amid Reorganization Threat
Cam Hamilton, the acting head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), wrote to staff members expressing the agency’s critical importance in supporting the country’s disaster response efforts, despite President Donald Trump’s plan to overhaul or eliminate it.
Trump, during a visit to disaster-stricken areas in North Carolina and California, stated that FEMA has “turned out to be a disaster” and expressed a preference for giving states federal funds to handle disasters themselves. This comment sparked concern among FEMA employees, leading Hamilton to send an email reassuring them of the agency’s value.
Hamilton emphasized that FEMA is “a critical agency which performs an essential mission in support of our national security,” and that he stands ready to implement reforms aimed at restoring public confidence in the agency. FEMA brings in emergency personnel, supplies, and equipment to help areas recover from natural disasters, with funding increasing significantly in recent years due to rising demand.
Hamilton’s email sought to alleviate staff concerns and affirm the agency’s commitment to serving the nation in times of crisis. The exact details of the planned reforms, including the extent of potential cuts or changes to the agency, remain unclear, pending further executive action from Trump.