President Donald Trump is preparing to nominate Cameron Hamilton, a former acting administrator he dismissed from the Federal Emergency Management Agency nearly a year ago, to lead the disaster relief organization once again, according to multiple sources familiar with the matter.
A person briefed on the discussions, who spoke anonymously because the plans were not yet public, confirmed to The Associated Press that Trump extended the offer to Hamilton on Wednesday. The president has not made a formal announcement, though the intention was first reported by The New York Times.
A Controversial Return
Hamilton's potential return marks a striking reversal. He was ousted in May of last year shortly after testifying before Congress that he believed eliminating FEMA was not in the public interest. His departure came amid a broader Trump administration push to reshape the agency, reducing its workforce and encouraging states to assume greater responsibility for disaster recovery efforts.
The administration's restructuring agenda was formalized in January 2025 when Trump signed an executive order creating a FEMA "Review Council." This panel, led by the secretaries of Homeland Security and Defense, includes twenty members tasked with proposing significant changes to the agency's operations and structure.
Confirmation Challenges and Agency Uncertainty
Hamilton's path through the Senate confirmation process is expected to face significant scrutiny. Critics are likely to highlight his lack of experience as a state emergency management director. A federal law enacted after Hurricane Katrina mandates that FEMA administrators possess at least five years of executive leadership and management experience, along with a substantial background in crisis management—a standard Hamilton's record may be challenged on.
FEMA's future remains uncertain under its new oversight at the Department of Homeland Security. Former Senator Markwayne Mullin, who now leads DHS after replacing the fired Kristi Noem, has pledged to end a controversial policy that required the secretary's personal review of grants and contracts exceeding $100,000. Lawmakers argued this rule severely delayed billions in disaster recovery funds. During his confirmation hearing, Mullin stated FEMA should be "restructured, not eliminated," but declined to commit to halting proposed staffing reductions.
Trump has relied on acting officials to run FEMA throughout his second term, leaving the agency without a permanent, Senate-confirmed leader. This nomination, if formally made, would end that pattern but could ignite a contentious battle on Capitol Hill. The move comes as the President is actively engaging on multiple policy fronts, including dismissing economic data and promoting tax policy at rallies, and as his administration faces other high-profile hearings, such as when officials defend the President's health agenda before Congress.
Hamilton, a former U.S. Navy SEAL who mounted an unsuccessful congressional campaign in 2024, would re-enter an agency fundamentally different from the one he left. The administration's persistent drive to shrink the federal bureaucracy and devolve authority continues to define its approach to disaster management, setting the stage for potential conflicts with lawmakers from both parties who represent disaster-prone states.
