Trump Nominates Cameron Hamilton to Lead FEMA After Agency's Period Without Permanent Leader
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President Trump has nominated Cameron Hamilton, a former Navy SEAL and former acting FEMA leader, to be the agency's permanent administrator. The nomination follows a period where FEMA has been without a Senate-confirmed leader and comes after a Trump-appointed council recommended major changes to the agency. Hamilton is now facing Senate confirmation hearings.
Facts First
- President Trump nominated Cameron Hamilton to lead the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
- FEMA has been without a Senate-confirmed leader since President Trump took office.
- Hamilton previously led FEMA in an acting capacity from January to May 2025.
- A Trump-appointed council of disaster experts recommended major changes to FEMA operations last week.
- Hamilton is facing Senate confirmation hearings to become the agency's first permanent administrator in Trump's second term.
What Happened
President Donald Trump nominated Cameron Hamilton on Monday to lead the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Hamilton previously served as FEMA's temporary leader from January to May 2025. The agency has been without a Senate-confirmed leader since President Trump took office and has had three temporary leaders, including Hamilton. A Trump-appointed council of disaster experts recommended major changes to FEMA operations last Friday.
Why this Matters to You
If confirmed, Hamilton would lead an agency with over 21,000 employees responsible for coordinating federal disaster response. His leadership could affect how quickly and effectively FEMA responds to future hurricanes, floods, wildfires, and other emergencies in your community. The agency's performance under recent temporary leadership has included slow assistance to survivors of major disasters and tens of thousands of unanswered calls from survivors after deadly floods in Texas last summer.
What's Next
Hamilton is facing Senate confirmation hearings. Federal law requires the FEMA administrator to have demonstrated ability in emergency management and homeland security and at least five years of executive leadership experience. If confirmed, Hamilton would serve as the principal adviser to Trump and Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin on emergency management.