Trump left Texas’ fate to a missing-in-action leader – even as 120 are dead and 160 remain missing

The Trump administration has replaced its experienced Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) chief with a new acting administrator who has been notably absent during recent deadly floods in Texas.

According to MSNBC, former FEMA chief Cameron Hamilton, who brought valuable experience as a Navy SEAL, combat medic, and former director of the Emergency Medical Services Division at the Department of Homeland Security, was fired last month following his congressional testimony.

Hamilton, a lifelong conservative Republican, was removed from his position one day after telling Congress that FEMA should continue to exist, which went against Donald Trump’s wishes to eliminate the agency completely. This pattern of eliminating federal agencies aligns with Trump’s broader efforts to dismantle government institutions, including attempts to eliminate multiple national parks and monuments.

New FEMA chief faces criticism for absence during Texas flooding crisis

The new acting FEMA administrator, David Richardson, who has no background in emergency management, has been notably absent from one of the nation’s deadliest floods in the past 25 years. Unlike previous FEMA leaders who maintained high visibility during major disasters, Richardson has not visited the flood site in Texas.

Richardson’s absence extends beyond physical presence at the disaster site. He has made no public appearances, issued no official statements, and remained silent on social media platforms. This behavior marks a significant departure from traditional FEMA leadership practices during crisis situations.

The contrast between the two administrators has been stark. When Hamilton held the position, he regularly engaged in public activities, including encouraging staff, making announcements, and participating in photo opportunities with survivors and regional FEMA leadership. Current FEMA employees have expressed confusion about Richardson’s complete absence during this critical time.

The situation has drawn attention from Congress, with Senator Andy Kim of New Jersey raising concerns during an MSNBC interview with Chris Hayes. The Democratic senator questioned Richardson’s whereabouts since the Texas disaster, highlighting the complete absence of FEMA’s acting administrator during this crisis. Richardson’s first day as acting chief was marked by a controversial statement to FEMA staff, warning he would ‘run right over’ anyone who gets in his way, but he has since maintained an unusually low profile during this critical emergency response period. This communication style reflects the administration’s broader challenges with effective leadership communication.