8 Major Takeaways From Richardson's FEMA Resignation

1. Why did David Richardson resign from FEMA?
Richardson submitted his resignation to the Department of Homeland Security on Monday, giving two weeks’ notice. His departure follows months of mounting frustration over his leadership failures, public controversies, and lack of disaster management experience.

Sources indicate DHS had already been planning to remove him, but waited until hurricane season ended on December 1.

2. What experience did Richardson have before leading FEMA?
Richardson, a former Marine combat veteran, martial arts instructor, and painter, previously led DHS’s Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction office.

Despite this, he had no experience managing natural disasters when appointed acting FEMA chief in May. Unlike his predecessor, Cameron Hamilton, Richardson was seen as a loyalist who would follow orders and was a personal friend of longtime Trump ally Corey Lewandowski.

3. What was the hurricane season comment controversy?
In June, Richardson told FEMA staff he was unaware the U.S. has a hurricane season. DHS later insisted the remark was a joke, but the comment raised serious doubts about his qualifications.

Mississippi Representative Bennie Thompson criticized the statement, saying, “If you don’t know what or when hurricane season is, you’re not qualified to run FEMA.”

4. How did Richardson handle the Texas flooding crisis?
During catastrophic floods in July that killed over 130 people, Richardson was largely unreachable and absent from the disaster zone for more than a week.

When he finally visited, it was unannounced, and he wore a straw hat and cowboy boots without FEMA insignia. DHS had deliberately kept his trip under wraps to shield him from press scrutiny.

5. What concerns were raised about Richardson’s leadership style?
Officials described Richardson as brash, unpredictable, and often inappropriate. On his first day, he warned staff he would “run right over” anyone who disagreed.

Reports noted instances of shouting, swearing, and suggesting disaster funds could favor Republican areas. He limited staff access to phones and computers in meetings, rarely used email, and kept his own communications hidden, making basic coordination difficult.

6. Why did DHS limit Richardson’s public role?
Secretary Kristi Noem and her team grew frustrated with Richardson’s poor communication and inability to effectively convey FEMA reforms to Congress and the public.

DHS blocked his requests to speak at conventions or lead public campaigns, reassigned allies, and surrounded him with senior staff to limit his authority. Officials concluded he caused more damage than good when representing FEMA publicly.

7. Who will replace Richardson at FEMA?
Karen Evans, FEMA’s newly appointed chief of staff and close Trump ally, will take over as acting administrator on December 1.

She has been involved in planning FEMA’s transformation and represents continuity with the administration’s vision for the agency. Her appointment signals that major reforms are imminent.

8. What’s next for FEMA under the Trump administration?
The administration plans to fast-track sweeping reforms once hurricane season ends, shifting more responsibility for disaster preparedness and response to states.

While Trump and Noem initially called for FEMA’s elimination, their focus has shifted to restructuring. Meanwhile, staff morale is low, over a quarter of full-time staff have left, and lawmakers are considering a bill to make FEMA independent from DHS—a proposal Noem opposes.