Trump administration officials allegedly maintained a turbulent dynamic with the fired head of FEMA, according to the former official's claims.

Cameron Hamilton, the former head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), has found himself at odds with the Trump administration after publicly opposing efforts to abolish the agency.

Hamilton, who left FEMA to become a managing director at Longview International Technology Solutions of Virginia, had a tumultuous tenure as interim leader of the agency in President Donald Trump's second term. His dismissal in May 2025 came after he testified to Congress against the elimination of FEMA, a move that was met with resistance from the administration.

Hamilton recalled facing resistance to his suggestions for legislative changes to make FEMA more efficient, including downsizing the agency by shifting some functions to other departments. He had a hostile relationship with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) due to their push to shutter FEMA.

In an attempt to preserve and streamline FEMA, Hamilton posted a link to a podcast on his personal X account in support of bipartisan legislation. He also wrote on X and his LinkedIn account that "new forms of bureaucracy" are delaying the deployment of disaster aid and that FEMA might be lying to the public about efficiency improvements.

Hamilton's dismissal was a surprise to many, with the White House reportedly shocked to learn that FEMA programs have been shut down or frozen. A group of nearly 200 current and former FEMA employees warned about the "cascading effects" of cuts to agency employees and programs.

DHS eliminated 10% of the agency's workforce and popular FEMA grant programs. Hamilton expressed disagreement with some of Trump's cuts to weather-forecasting operations. He also warned DHS officials that their comments about abolishing the agency were divisive and extremely unwise.

Despite the controversy, Hamilton praised his FEMA colleagues and former agency officials, particularly Peter Gaynor, who ran FEMA during Trump's first term and became a close adviser to Hamilton. Hamilton told the House Appropriations Committee that he did not believe it was in the best interests of the American people to eliminate FEMA.

Hamilton's dismissal serves as a reminder of the challenges faced by those who seek to reform government agencies and the potential consequences of opposing the administration's agenda. His departure from FEMA marks a significant shift in the leadership of the agency, and it remains to be seen how the agency will be affected by the changes implemented during Trump's second term.

Trump administration officials allegedly maintained a turbulent dynamic with the fired head of FEMA, according to the former official's claims.