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David Richardson, the acting chief of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), has submitted his resignation following months of controversy and internal frustration. Richardson, who was appointed despite lacking disaster management experience, faced criticism for his leadership style and communication issues. He submitted his resignation letter on Monday (November 17) to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which oversees FEMA, providing a two-week notice.
Richardson's tenure was marked by several controversial moments, including a comment made during a June meeting where he claimed to be unaware of the U.S. hurricane season, a statement later described as a joke by DHS. His leadership faced its toughest test in July when catastrophic floods in Texas resulted in over 130 deaths. During this crisis, Richardson was on vacation and unreachable for hours, only visiting the flood zone days after President Donald Trump and DHS Secretary Kristi Noem.
Richardson's departure comes as the Trump administration plans to implement significant reforms at FEMA. Karen Evans, a close ally of the Trump administration and newly appointed chief of staff at FEMA, will replace Richardson starting December 1. The administration's planned reforms aim to reshape FEMA's operations and response strategies.
Critics have raised concerns about the agency's instability, with more than a quarter of its full-time staff leaving through layoffs and buyouts. The administration's push to shift disaster responsibility onto states has also drawn criticism, with some warning that it may jeopardize future emergency responses. Despite the challenges, the agency benefited from the mildest hurricane season in a decade, with no hurricanes making landfall in the U.S. for the first time since 2015.
Richardson's resignation marks a pivotal moment for FEMA as the administration prepares to fast-track its sweeping transformation of the agency. The new FEMA Review Council, led by Noem, will soon deliver a report outlining recommendations for the agency's future.