David Richardson Resigns as FEMA Acting Administrator Amid Criticism

Washington, D.C. — David Richardson resigned as acting administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) on Monday, following months of criticism regarding his limited visibility and slow response during the deadly floods in Texas.

Richardson’s six-month tenure was marked by scrutiny from FEMA employees and officials at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) due to his low profile and infrequent participation in daily operations meetings. Multiple sources indicated that he was challenging to contact during the critical early hours of the devastating floods in July, which claimed at least 130 lives.

As the situation in Texas worsened, questions about Richardson’s leadership grew. Recently, he hinted that he did not expect to continue in the role after Thanksgiving. Authorities at DHS also restricted his communications with the press, signaling a shift in the administration’s approach.

Richardson, a former Marine Corps artillery officer, succeeded Cameron Hamilton in May after Hamilton was removed by Secretary Kristi Noem. Hamilton’s ousting stemmed from his public disagreement with the administration’s goal of eliminating FEMA.

At the time of his resignation, Richardson was managing FEMA in an acting capacity while still overseeing the Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction office. The agency has not indicated who will be appointed as acting administrator next.