FEMA acting chief David Richardson has resigned amid devastating criticism over his bungled response to deadly Texas floods that killed over 130 Americans.
Story Snapshot
- Richardson quit after being unreachable for hours during the deadly Central Texas floods that killed 130+ people.
- Acting administrator, shockingly, told colleagues he was unaware that the U.S. has a hurricane season.
- Defended FEMA’s catastrophic response as a “model” despite delayed rescue deployments.
- Trump has signaled FEMA “should be eliminated as it exists” with major restructuring underway.
Richardson’s Failed Leadership During Crisis
David Richardson submitted his resignation on Monday morning after serving as FEMA’s acting administrator since May 8, 2025.
His departure follows withering criticism over the agency’s botched response to July’s devastating Central Texas floods that claimed more than 130 lives, including 27 campers and counselors at Camp Mystic on the Guadalupe River.
FEMA officials told CBS News that Richardson was unreachable for critical hours during the disaster, directly hampering search-and-rescue deployment efforts when American lives hung in the balance.
FEMA Head David Richardson Steps Down From Role After Six Months, Criticism Over Texas Floodshttps://t.co/jrfkinQnHj pic.twitter.com/eU19FrmX7F
— Forbes (@Forbes) November 17, 2025
Shocking Incompetence and Arrogant Defense
Richardson’s tenure was marked by stunning displays of incompetence that would be laughable if not for the tragic consequences.
In one widely reported incident, the acting administrator told colleagues he was unaware the United States has a hurricane season—comments that raised serious alarms among seasoned emergency managers.
Despite overwhelming evidence of failure, Richardson defended FEMA’s catastrophic performance as a “model” of disaster response during congressional hearings in July, disputing documented reports of delayed deployments and unanswered emergency calls.
Bureaucratic Dysfunction Under Biden’s FEMA
Richardson’s authoritarian leadership style emerged immediately, telling staff in his first meeting: “Don’t get in my way … I will run right over you,” and declaring, “I and I alone speak for FEMA.”
Critics point to bureaucratic bottlenecks under Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem’s oversight, including a directive requiring her personal approval for any expenditure exceeding $100,000.
These administrative roadblocks exemplify the government overreach and red tape that conservatives have long warned undermine effective emergency response when Americans need help most.
Trump Administration Moves to Restructure Failed Agency
Richardson’s resignation comes as the FEMA Review Council prepares to deliver a comprehensive restructuring report to President Trump this November.
The White House ordered this sweeping assessment of FEMA’s performance during the disastrous Biden years, with Trump repeatedly signaling that FEMA “should be eliminated as it exists.”
Secretary Noem has directed the council to fundamentally “reimagine” the agency rather than merely evaluate it. FEMA chief of staff Karen Evans will assume Richardson’s duties starting December 1, 2025, as the Trump administration works to restore competent emergency management.
