David Richardson, who served as acting administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) until his abrupt resignation in December 2025, told ABC News that the agency provided the necessary support to Texans during the historic July 4 weekend flooding. Richardson said FEMA’s pre‑planned exercises and worst‑case scenario planning allowed responders to move quickly and get supplies to affected communities.
Critique of a Noem‑imposed contract memo
According to Richardson’s forthcoming book Texas Flood: Power, Money, Politics, History, Bureaucracy and Tragedy, the turning point that led to his departure was a memo issued by former Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem. The memo required every contract above $100,000 to be personally signed by Noem, adding a layer of bureaucracy that Richardson argued would “kill” disaster‑response efforts. He recalled overriding the memo to ensure Texas received the aid it needed, noting that the projected cost of contracts could reach “the low end of $500 million a day”.
FEMA’s response to the floods
Richardson emphasized that FEMA teams were already on the ground, including a unit in Denton and Coast Guard assets conducting search‑and‑rescue missions. “It’s not true that FEMA withheld essential support,” he said, adding that the agency’s rapid deployment helped save lives even as the tragedy claimed many victims.
Support for President Trump’s restructuring plan
The former administrator also outlined the Trump administration’s proposal to restructure FEMA. The plan calls for FEMA to report directly to the president rather than remain under the Department of Homeland Security, a move Richardson argues would reduce bureaucratic overhead and improve agility. He described the agency as “bloated, overweight and unhealthy” and advocated for a “diet” that would trim headquarters staff and streamline decision‑making.
Other voices on FEMA’s role
Michael Coen, former FEMA chief of staff under the Biden and Obama administrations, praised the agency’s core mission, stating, “FEMA’s structure has been built to align the necessary resources and staff to address the risks the nation may face. The agency is continuously improving and learning to meet the mission.” Coen’s comments provide a bipartisan acknowledgment of FEMA’s importance while underscoring the need for ongoing reform.
Looking ahead
Richardson’s book argues that the FEMA Review Council’s recommendations, which focus on modest size reductions, do not go far enough. He contends that a fully independent FEMA would be better positioned to respond to future disasters without the delays caused by additional layers of oversight.
As the nation reflects on the Texas flooding tragedy, the discussion around FEMA’s structure and the balance between efficient disaster response and congressional oversight continues. President Trump’s administration remains committed to ensuring that the agency can act swiftly and effectively, protecting American families when they need it most.
Original reporting: Brookhaven News – ABC7 New York — read the source article.
