Acting FEMA head resigns after just six months

David Richardson the acting head of the Federal Exigency Management Agency quietly resigned on Monday after a troubled half-year at the helm Richardson previously headed the Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction office at FEMA and was picked for the top spot by Secretary of Homeland Precaution Kristi Noem Noem fired his predecessor over his opposition to President Donald Trump s dismantling of the agency In his short tenure Richardson a former Marine Corps artillery officer ascertained himself at the center of intense disagreement surrounding his professional conduct He was seen as an inaccessible official keeping a low profile even during times of tragedy Related Texas flood is a preview of chaos to come Richardson was nowhere to be identified when Texas was devastated by flooding in July only appearing to coordinate operations days later He was later revealed to have been on vacation with his sons The floods killed more than people and caused billion in damage Since then Richardson had reportedly been less and less involved in daily operations according to the Washington Post In June Richardson caused consternation among staffers at a meeting when he appeared not to know the duration of hurricane season in the United States He also reported staff during a meeting in May not to get in my way believing that a considerable contingent at FEMA would resist his agenda Start your day with essential news from Salon Sign up for our free morning newsletter Crash Program If you re one of those of people and you think those tactics and techniques are going to help you they will not because I will run right over you Richard declared I and I alone speak for FEMA Karen Evans a senior adviser at FEMA is slated to assume the role of administrator from Richardson on December according to CNN Read more about FEMA FEMA s acting director is MIA- and the media hasn t even noticed Noem grilled over FEMA s Texas response on Meet the Press FEMA is not good Trump looking into ending federal accident aid agency The post Acting FEMA head resigns after just six months appeared first on Salon com