Cameron Hamilton, the then-acting administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), prepared to testify before Capitol Hill, fully aware that his tenure at the agency was nearing its end.
That morning, officials from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), FEMA's parent agency, had instructed FEMA's security team to revoke Hamilton's security pass and escort him from the building, according to three individuals privy to the situation.
A tense exchange followed, with FEMA officials cautioning that Hamilton's removal could fuel perceptions of instability within the disaster relief agency, particularly if he was unable to deliver his planned congressional testimony.
As reported by Reuters, DHS officials eventually conceded, and Hamilton testified that afternoon. In his testimony, he expressed his opposition to the dismantling of FEMA, a stance that directly contradicted President Donald Trump's consideration of abolishing the agency.
Hamilton's subsequent dismissal the next day was widely interpreted as retribution for his testimony, a view that the White House did not dispute in its statements regarding his departure.
However, sources familiar with the situation informed Reuters that allies of President Trump had already been seeking Hamilton's removal due to perceived inaction in downsizing the agency. These individuals felt that Hamilton, despite being a Trump appointee, was increasingly seen as a protector within an agency that they believed needed significant reduction. "Cameron wasn't fired for his testimony at that congressional committee hearing. He knew well in advance," stated Matt Strickland, a longtime friend of Hamilton.
In response to inquiries about Hamilton's dismissal, a DHS spokesperson dismissed the claims as "lazy gossip," stating that Hamilton was not fired but had transitioned to a senior advisory role at the Department of Education. The Education Department confirmed that Hamilton was now focusing on school safety issues and foreign influence on university campuses.
Strickland also revealed that Hamilton had experienced conflicts with Corey Lewandowski, a long-time Trump advisor and key aide to Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. These tensions included disagreements over a grant disbursement to New York City for housing migrants, which FEMA later retracted. Strickland himself was dismissed from his role as a government contractor for DHS after he defended Hamilton on social media. Lewandowski, however, denied that any clashes with Hamilton contributed to his departure from FEMA, stating, "Cameron Hamilton chose to take a new opportunity at the Department of Education advising on school security."
The internal drama surrounding Hamilton's dismissal, which occurred just over three weeks before the start of an anticipated above-normal hurricane season, has raised concerns about the agency's preparedness for such events. FEMA, responsible for coordinating the federal response to natural disasters, has been grappling with the loss of hundreds of staff and low morale. Hamilton's dismissal underscores Trump's determination to overhaul FEMA, even at the risk of alienating loyalists who do not act swiftly enough. This move carries political risks for Trump, as poor hurricane relief efforts and turmoil within FEMA could provoke backlash from voters.
Experts have cautioned that reducing or reorganizing FEMA could leave local and state governments more vulnerable to handling natural disasters independently. Hamilton was succeeded by David Richardson, a Marine Corps veteran with no emergency management experience. In his initial address to staff, Richardson pledged to implement Trump's wishes and not hesitate to "run right over" employees who obstructed his path.
Hamilton, a staunch supporter of President Trump who worked in the State Department during Trump's first term, initially approached his role at FEMA with skepticism. However, after familiarizing himself with the agency and its employees, he came to believe in the importance of FEMA's role in disaster response, even while acknowledging the need for reform. This nuanced perspective increasingly put him at odds with Noem and Lewandowski, who felt Hamilton was being "too nice" to FEMA staff, even as he oversaw the elimination of hundreds of agency jobs.
The first signs of tension emerged in late March when several FEMA employees were subjected to a polygraph test to identify who had leaked information about a private meeting that included Hamilton, Noem, and Lewandowski. Lewandowski accused Hamilton of being the leaker, and soon after, Hamilton was required to submit to a polygraph examination.
Despite being cleared by the test, Hamilton continued to clash with Lewandowski over FEMA's direction. In late April, Hamilton informed some senior FEMA staff that he might be fired.
On the morning of his testimony, he packed up his belongings, anticipating his imminent dismissal. His tenure at FEMA officially ended on May 8, when he was dismissed by Lewandowski and Deputy Homeland Security Secretary Troy Edgar.
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