FEMA's Once-Fired Leader Is Back in Charge

The Senate on Friday confirmed Cameron Hamilton as head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, returning the former Navy SEAL to the embattled agency he led temporarily last year only to be fired after he publicly opposed eliminating it, per the AP. Hamilton was among a group of 74 nominations approved by the Senate, including President Trump's pick to lead the Transportation Security Administration, David Cummins, and his choice for ambassador to Brazil, Daniel Perez.

Hamilton had limited emergency management experience before Trump named him FEMA's temporary leader in January 2025. Formerly a critic of the agency, Hamilton has said he came to appreciate FEMA's mission. His tenure proved short after he broke with then-DHS chief Kristi Noem and other DHS officials over FEMA's future. "I do not believe it is in the best interest of the American people to eliminate the Federal Emergency Management Agency," Hamilton told a House panel in May 2025. He was fired the next day.