Trump replaces acting FEMA administrator

The Department of Homeland Security on Thursday removed acting administrator for the Federal Emergency Management Agency Cameron Hamilton. President Donald Trump appointed Hamilton as interim director in January after former leader Deanne Criswell resigned. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem replaced Hamilton with the assistant secretary for the DHS’ Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction Office, David Richardson, DHS spokeswoman Tricia McLaughlin told CNN. Hamilton’s departure comes just before the start of hurricane season.

Why was Hamilton let go? McLaughlin declined to say why he was removed from his post, but his firing came one day after he testified before the House Appropriations Committee. During the hearing, Hamilton defended FEMA and said he believes it is not in the best interest of the American people to eliminate the agency. Trump and Noem have said they may consider dismantling the agency that oversees emergency responses across the country. Noem in March said she plans to eliminate FEMA, and Trump in January expressed the same sentiment during a visit to North Carolina. The White House earlier this month released a proposed budget that includes cuts to FEMA, the Transportation Security Administration, and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. Lawmakers on Thursday questioned Noem about the proposed cuts, and she responded by reiterating Trump’s plan to restructure the agency.

Dig deeper: Read Leo Briceno and Carolina Lumetta's report about Trump's proposed budget cuts.