President Donald Trump intends to nominate Cameron Hamilton, a former U.S. Navy SEAL who previously served as the acting leader of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), to become the agency's permanent administrator, according to a source familiar with the matter. This move comes as FEMA faces uncertainty and potential reforms under the Trump administration.
Background and Previous Tenure
Cameron Hamilton held the role of acting FEMA administrator from January to May of last year. His tenure was cut short when he was fired one day after testifying before a House Appropriations subcommittee. During that testimony, Hamilton expressed disagreement with proposals to dismantle FEMA, an idea that Trump had repeatedly suggested. "I do not believe it is in the best interest of the American people to eliminate the Federal Emergency Management Agency," he stated to lawmakers.
Current Situation at FEMA
FEMA has been without a permanent administrator throughout Trump's second term, currently operating under its third temporary leader. Critics argue that this lack of stable leadership undermines the agency's effectiveness in coordinating federal disaster response efforts. Trump offered Hamilton the position on Wednesday, as reported by an anonymous source not authorized to discuss it publicly. The White House has not yet commented on the matter, with The New York Times first breaking the news of Trump's intent.
Timing and Context of the Nomination
Hamilton's potential nomination arrives at a critical juncture for FEMA. Trump has advocated for shifting more disaster response responsibilities to states and established a FEMA Review Council to propose sweeping reforms. This council is expected to recommend changes to how the agency supports communities affected by disasters.
Contrasting Views Within Homeland Security
Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin has voiced support for FEMA while also calling for reforms, a stance that differs sharply from his predecessor, Kristi Noem. Noem had vowed to "eliminate FEMA as it exists today" and faced tensions with the review council. It remains unclear how Hamilton would lead the agency or what specific expectations Trump has for his leadership.
Hamilton's Stance and Past Conflicts
In a September episode of the podcast "Disaster Tough," Hamilton revealed that his relationship with Department of Homeland Security officials became "very hostile" during his brief time at FEMA. He emphasized his desire to cut "wasteful spending" and "downsize the agency," but not to dismantle it entirely. This aligns with his previous testimony opposing the elimination of FEMA.
Potential Challenges Ahead
Trump has not officially announced the nomination and could still change his mind. If nominated, Hamilton may encounter obstacles during the Senate confirmation process, particularly due to his lack of experience as a state emergency management director. Federal law mandates that FEMA's administrator possess "a demonstrated ability in and knowledge of emergency management and homeland security" along with at least five years of executive leadership and management experience. Upon confirmation, he would serve as the principal advisor to the president and the Homeland Security secretary on all emergency management matters.
Hamilton's Professional and Political Background
Cameron Hamilton spent a decade as a U.S. Navy SEAL, with four overseas deployments between 2005 and 2015 as part of Seal Team Eight, according to his LinkedIn profile and a Congressional biography. Following his military service, he worked as a supervisory emergency management specialist at the U.S. State Department and later served as the Department of Homeland Security's director of emergency services for several years.
In 2024, Hamilton ran for Congress in Virginia's 7th district but lost in the Republican primary. Earlier this month, in a LinkedIn post commemorating 47 years since FEMA's establishment, he expressed gratitude for serving under Trump and alongside FEMA colleagues. "I wish my tenure had been longer," he wrote, "as there is still much more work to do for reform."
