Acting FEMA chief David Richardson steps down as Trump admin continues reshaping agency operations

By Fox News · Fox News

David Richardson is stepping down as the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) acting administrator after steering the agency through a tumultuous hurricane season and launching a sweeping overhaul to make it faster, leaner and more accountable. A spokesperson at the Department of Homeland Security told Fox News the agency applauded Richardson’s leadership during a year of intense storms and deep internal reform, saying his tenure brought record relief funding, targeted efficiency measures, and a renewed focus on getting aid quickly to communities in need. "The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) 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," the spokesperson said. "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. "We anticipate the forthcoming release of the FEMA Review Council’s final report, which will inform this Administration’s ongoing efforts to fundamentally restructure FEMA, transforming it from its current form into a streamlined, mission-focused disaster-response force," the spokesperson continued. "Starting Dec. 1, FEMA Chief of Staff Karen Evans will step into this important role." FEMA EMPLOYEES PLACED ON LEAVE AFTER CLAIMING TRUMP LEADERSHIP COULD SPARK NEXT HURRICANE KATRINA The announcement of Richardson’s departure comes as the Trump administration continues its broader effort to reshape FEMA’s mission and leadership — a push that gained national attention in late August when DHS Secretary Kristi Noem defended the agency’s sweeping reforms a…