Topline
David Richardson, the acting head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, is stepping down from his role, according to multiple reports, leaving his post after just six months on the job.
Richardson had spent six months on the job before leaving his post. (Photo by Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)
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Key Facts
Richardson resigned from the position, The Washington Post reported, noting the FEMA chief developed a reputation for being inaccessible, including during the Central Texas floods in July.
CBS News also reported Richardson’s resignation, citing multiple current and former Homeland Security officials familiar with the decision and also noting FEMA officials who said he was unreachable for hours amid the floods.
Richardson has worked as FEMA’s chief since May 8, taking over for Cameron Hamilton, who was removed after pushing back against the Trump administration’s suggestions that FEMA be eliminated.
Department of Homeland Security spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin told Forbes that FEMA Chief of Staff Karen Evans will assume Richardson’s role starting Dec. 1.
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Tangent
Though it has yet to follow through on its plans, the Trump administration suggested multiple times earlier this year FEMA, a 46-year-old agency created by former President Jimmy Carter, could be abolished. President Donald Trump said after taking office he would sign an executive order to potentially remove the agency and instead fully charge states with handling disaster response, saying, “when there is a problem with a state, I think that that problem should be taken care of by the state.” The president also claimed in January that FEMA has not done its “job the last four years.”
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Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/antoniopequenoiv/2025/11/17/fema-head-david-richardson-steps-down-from-role-after-six-months-criticism-over-texas-floods/
