David Richardson has resigned as acting head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the US Department of Homeland Security confirmed on November 17. His abrupt departure follows the end of a 43-day shutdown of the federal government and comes as the agency manages overlapping disaster response demands.
A DHS spokesman told the Associated Press that Richardson resigned after about six months in the post. The department did not explain the reason for his resignation. Politico reported that DHS thanked Richardson for his service during an active hurricane season.
The transition occurs as FEMA works through funding and program delays accumulated during the shutdown.
The agency’s Disaster Relief Fund has been operating under a continuing resolution that limited some major project obligations, and the freeze has halted reviews of risk mitigation grants and environmental permits tied to long-term recovery projects. FEMA has not said whether Richardson’s departure will affect the pace of those actions.
The Washington Post reported that Richardson had drawn internal criticism for limited availability during the late October floods in Texas, although FEMA’s regional and field teams continued to operate during the response.
David Richardson, shown here during recent congressional testimony, resigned Nov. 17 as acting administrator of FEMA, the US Department of Homeland Security confirmed. His departure comes as the agency works through delays related to the shutdown of disaster recovery and mitigation programs.
Screenshot courtesy of CSPAN
Richardson previously served as the agency’s deputy associate administrator for resilience before becoming acting administrator in May.
The Trump administration has not officially announced who will take over the acting leadership. Politico reports that effective Dec. 1, FEMA Chief of Staff Karen Evans will assume the role of acting administrator, according to comments from a DHS spokesperson. The outlet added that Richardson will also leave his job as head of the Office of Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction, a department that President Trump has reportedly sought to shut down.
FEMA continues to lead recovery operations in Texas, Alaska and Mid-Atlantic communities affected by the fall storms as agencies resume normal operations under the interim funding measure enacted Nov. 12.
ENR sought additional comment from FEMA and DHS on the leadership transition, but the agencies did not respond by press time.
