On his way out the door, the now-fired acting head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency defended the agency’s disaster response during the Biden era while also taking several verbal jabs at the Trump administration. Cameron Hamilton was reportedly called to the Department of Homeland Security headquarters in Washington, D.C., where he was dismissed by Troy Edgar and Corey Lewandowski, according to Politico.

The dismissal came just one day after Hamilton testified before a House Appropriations subcommittee, where he appeared to contradict comments made by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem about potentially eliminating the Federal Emergency Management Agency and shifting disaster funding responsibilities to state governments. Hamilton told lawmakers that he did not believe eliminating FEMA would be in the best interests of the American people.

FEMA’s press office later confirmed the leadership change, announcing that David Richardson would now serve as the senior official performing the duties of FEMA administrator. Hamilton, a former Navy SEAL, had reportedly considered resigning earlier while the new Trump administration was taking shape but decided to remain after FEMA staff urged him to stay.

The development follows additional controversy within FEMA after four officials were fired over an “egregious” payment that funded hotel accommodations for migrants in New York City. Elon Musk claimed on X that the agency sent $59 million to luxury hotels to house migrants, arguing that the money should instead be used for disaster relief as the administration continues discussing reforms to FEMA under Donald Trump.READ MORE BELOW