WASHINGTON — Cameron Hamilton, President Donald Trump’s choice to lead the Federal Emergency Management Agency, sat before senators Wednesday fielding tough questions about his fitness to run an organization that the administration itself has threatened to shut down.
Hamilton had a brief stint leading FEMA earlier this year before being let go after he spoke out in defense of the agency’s continued existence. His nomination arrives at a time when the Republican administration appears to be softening its stance on earlier promises to do away with an agency that the president has sharply criticized.
Hamilton was appointed as temporary director in January 2025, just days after the president publicly floated the idea of “getting rid” of FEMA. At the time of his appointment, Hamilton had no prior experience as a state or local emergency management director, and had himself been critical of FEMA before taking the role.
After stepping into the position, Hamilton expressed concern about efforts to abolish the agency. At a congressional hearing last year, he stated that he did not “believe it is in the best interest of the American people to eliminate” FEMA. He was dismissed the following day.
Should the Senate confirm him, Hamilton would serve as the top adviser to both Trump and Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin on matters of emergency management. FEMA operates under the Department of Homeland Security.
Hamilton would become the first permanent FEMA administrator during Trump’s second term. The agency has cycled through four temporary leaders, including Hamilton’s own stint from January to May of 2025.
He would be stepping into an agency still struggling in the aftermath of turbulent leadership at the Department of Homeland Security. FEMA has been battered by a wave of staff departures, operational restrictions, and a lengthy DHS shutdown.
Among the challenges Hamilton would face is making sure FEMA is ready for the summer disaster season, all while answering to a president who is expected to push for major reforms after a council he appointed called for sweeping changes at the agency.
Also being considered at Wednesday’s hearing was David Cummins, Trump’s nominee to lead the Transportation Security Administration.
