FEMA Review Council

Cameron Hamilton, previously fired as acting FEMA chief by President Trump in May 2025, is advancing toward confirmation as the agency’s administrator after a Senate committee approved his nomination. Trump has sought to reduce FEMA’s federal role, but Hamilton pledged to improve the agency’s disaster declaration process and customer service during his confirmation hearing.

President Donald Trump nominated Cameron Hamilton to lead the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), despite having fired him in 2025 after Hamilton testified that FEMA should continue to exist. Trump has repeatedly called for reducing FEMA's size and shifting disaster relief responsibilities to states, while Hamilton previously opposed eliminating the agency. The Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee will hold a hearing to consider his nomination.

The FEMA Review Council has recommended sweeping changes to the Federal Emergency Management Agency, including reforms to agency staffing and shifting responsibility to state and local authorities. The council's final report was approved on Thursday. The changes aim to improve the agency's efficiency and effectiveness.