The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is a United States government agency operating under the Department of Homeland Security. Established in 1979, its primary mission is to coordinate the federal response to domestic disasters that exceed the capabilities of state and local authorities. This coordination is typically initiated following a formal request from a state's governor.
FEMA is notable for its critical role in disaster management, providing resources and support for events such as hurricanes, floods, and terrorist attacks. The agency's work is essential for organizing relief efforts, supplying federal funding, and helping communities prepare for and recover from major emergencies, making it a cornerstone of U.S. public safety infrastructure.
The agency has recently been in the news due to a significant leadership change. In November 2025, the acting FEMA administrator, David Richardson, resigned from his position. This development was widely reported by multiple major news outlets.
The resignation came amid reported scrutiny and pushback concerning the agency's disaster response efforts, particularly in relation to flooding events in Texas. News reports suggested that the administrator had been difficult to reach during the emergency response, which contributed to the context of his departure.
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- Acting FEMA chief resigns after 6 months - gov1.com 2025-11-18 03:27 · gov1.com
- FEMA chief resigns amid pushback over his disaster response in Texas - San Antonio Express-News 2025-11-18 03:24 · San Antonio Express-News
- Video Acting FEMA Administrator David Richardson resigns: Sources - abcnews.go.com 2025-11-18 03:20 · abcnews.go.com
- FEMA head resigns. Richardson had been hard to reach during Texas floods. - The Washington Post 2025-11-18 03:20 · The Washington Post
- Acting FEMA head resigns - NBC News 2025-11-18 03:20 · NBC News
- FEMA chief departs agency - WGN-TV 2025-11-18 03:18 · WGN-TV
- FEMA chief residents as Trump administration prepared to oust him - Juneau Independent 2025-11-18 03:11 · Juneau Independent
- FEMA Head David Richardson Abruptly Resigns Six Months After Being Tasked with Dismantling the Relief Agency - The New York Sun 2025-11-18 03:08 · The New York Sun
- Acting FEMA chief out after short, troubled tenure - Politico 2025-11-18 03:07 · Politico
- FEMA Chief Resigns, Sources Say - The Wall Street Journal 2025-11-18 03:05 · The Wall Street Journal