President Donald Trump plans to nominate Cameron Hamilton, the former Navy SEAL he fired from leading FEMA last year, as the agency’s permanent administrator in a surprising reversal that comes as the disaster relief agency faces an uncertain future.

From Fired to Nominated

Trump offered Hamilton the position on Wednesday, according to a source familiar with the matter who spoke on condition of anonymity. Hamilton served briefly as FEMA’s acting administrator before his termination in 2025. The former Navy SEAL, who spent a decade on SEAL Team Eight with four overseas deployments between 2005 and 2015, publicly stated his desire to cut wasteful spending and downsize the agency during his short tenure, though he opposed dismantling it completely.

Hamilton’s relationship with Department of Homeland Security officials became very hostile during his time leading FEMA, as he revealed in a September podcast appearance on Disaster Tough. He told a House Appropriations subcommittee in May 2025 that he did not believe eliminating FEMA served the American people’s best interests, signaling his commitment to the agency’s mission despite his reform agenda.

Senate Confirmation Questions

The nomination faces potential headwinds during Senate confirmation. Hamilton has never served as a state emergency management director, a background typically expected for the position. Federal law requires FEMA’s administrator to demonstrate ability and knowledge in emergency management and homeland security, plus at least five years of executive leadership experience. Hamilton worked as a supervisory emergency management specialist at the State Department and directed emergency services at the Department of Homeland Security for several years before his FEMA appointment.

FEMA’s Uncertain Future

The nomination arrives as Trump pushes to shift more disaster responsibility to states. The administration created a FEMA Review Council expected to propose sweeping reforms to how the agency supports disaster-impacted communities. Hamilton wrote on LinkedIn earlier this month that he wished his tenure had lasted longer, noting that much reform work remains unfinished. The former Virginia congressional candidate, who lost his 2024 Republican primary race, expressed gratitude for serving under Trump as FEMA marked its 47th anniversary. Trump has not officially announced the nomination and could reverse his decision.