(NewsNation) — Acting Federal Emergency Management Agency chief David Richardson has resigned following public scrutiny.
Richardson’s notice of resignation comes as there were reportedly attempts to oust him from the agency.
He had a reputation for being inaccessible, with reports of him being unreachable during the early hours of the devastating July 4th floods that hit central Texas.
Lawmakers criticized Richardson for his slow response to the floods and delayed visit to the affected region, even as he held it up as an example of how FEMA should respond to disasters in the future.
Richardson also raised eyebrows when he appeared unaware that the U.S. has a hurricane season, although the administration later tried to walk back the remark, saying he had been joking.
“The Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Department of Homeland Security extend their sincere appreciation to the Senior Official Performing the Duties of the Administrator, David Richardson, for his dedicated service and wish him continued success in his return to the private sector. Mr. Richardson led FEMA through the 2025 hurricane season, delivering historic funding to North Carolina, Texas, Florida, New Mexico and Alaska, and overseeing a comprehensive review that identified and eliminated serious governmental waste and inefficiency, while refocusing the agency to deliver swift resources to Americans in crisis,” a DHS spokesperson said in a statement.
The Trump administration has previously suggested FEMA could be eliminated in favor of turning the responsibility to respond to disasters over to states.
Richardson served in the role for six months, following the ouster of Cameron Hamilton, after Hamilton criticized the administration’s desire to dismantle the agency.
FEMA Chief of Staff Karen Henderson will take over the role beginning Dec. 1.