The current head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is David Richardson, who serves as the acting administrator. He was appointed to lead FEMA in May 2025, following the dismissal of his predecessor, Cam Hamilton, who was removed shortly after publicly opposing the Trump administration's plan to eliminate FEMA[1][2]. Richardson's appointment came amid a controversial period during which the administration expressed intentions to reduce or potentially eliminate the agency, citing concerns about FEMA's disaster response effectiveness[1][2]. David Richardson is a former Marine Corps officer with combat experience in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Africa. He has a background in military strategy and education, having taught history at George Washington University and strategy at the U.S. Army Field Artillery School, alongside Marine Corps Martial Arts[2]. Before heading FEMA, Richardson held a senior role as the assistant secretary at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), overseeing the Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction Office. Notably, he has maintained dual responsibilities, simultaneously managing FEMA and the DHS weapons office, which has raised concerns about leadership capacity during critical periods such as the hurricane season[3]. Richardson has publicly affirmed his commitment to executing the President's agenda for FEMA, emphasizing his authority within the agency and aligning with the administration’s goal to reform or significantly curtail FEMA’s role[2]. His tenure has been marked by internal agency challenges and scrutiny over his dual roles, which some experts argue could impact FEMA’s operational effectiveness during disaster response[3]. As of late 2025, Richardson remains a central figure in FEMA’s leadership amid ongoing debates about the agency’s future and federal disaster management policy.