President Donald Trump has fired Cameron Hamilton, the acting administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, just three weeks before hurricane season, raising questions about the timing and reasons for the decision. Hamilton, a former Navy SEAL, had publicly disagreed with the Trump administration's stance on FEMA during a Capitol Hill testimony."I do not believe it is in the best interest of the American people to eliminate the federal emergency management agency," Hamilton said, responding to Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem's testimony advocating for the elimination of FEMA as it currently exists.Trump has criticized FEMA's handling of recent disasters, particularly its response in North Carolina following Hurricane Helene, arguing that states should lead during emergencies like hurricanes and tornadoes.Hamilton's departure has sparked concern among some on Capitol Hill, prompting a response from the White House."My understanding is that this individual testified saying something that was contrary to what the president believes and the goals of this administration in regards to FEMA policy. And so, of course, we want to make sure that people in every position are advancing the administration's goals," said White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt.In Hamilton's place, Trump has appointed David Richardson, a former Marine officer with experience in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Africa, who has held senior roles at DHS countering weapons of mass destruction. However, Richardson does not appear to have experience in natural disaster response.During his first all-staff meeting, Richardson reportedly warned employees against resisting change, stating, "I will run right over you," according to the Associated Press. He promised to carry out the president's agenda, likening it to leading Marines into combat.Richardson has outlined plans to push for more cost-sharing with states and streamline FEMA operations, emphasizing the delegation of responsibilities to states and improving preparedness as hurricane season approaches. Memos obtained by the Associated Press reveal Richardson's intention to conduct a "mission analysis" to identify "redundancies and inefficiencies" within the organization, while clarifying FEMA's "core" mission and deterring "mission creep."In 2024, the United States experienced 27 billion-dollar disasters, totaling $182.7 billion in damages, surpassing the five-year average of 23 events and $149.3 billion. It was also the warmest year on record, according to NOAA, with Antarctic sea ice reaching its second-lowest extent on record both in February and September.