Trump focuses on two state officials as finalists for FEMA leadership
The White House conducted interviews with emergency management leaders from Texas and Florida for the top federal disaster management position.
TroibNews 
The chief of emergency management in Texas is being considered to lead the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), according to two sources who spoke to PMG under condition of anonymity.
Nim Kidd, who heads the Texas Division of Emergency Management, interviewed for the position last month at the White House and is viewed as a leading candidate for the role of FEMA administrator. Additionally, Kevin Guthrie, the executive director of the Florida Division of Emergency Management, was also interviewed by White House officials, as noted by one of the sources.
Both Kidd and Guthrie are well-respected in the field of disaster management and were identified as potential FEMA nominees following President Donald Trump's election. They appear to satisfy a federal requirement stating that the administrator must possess “a demonstrated ability in and knowledge of emergency management and homeland security.” The position requires Senate confirmation.
These interviews occur during a tumultuous time for FEMA. During a private meeting last week with FEMA acting Administrator Cameron Hamilton and Corey Lewandowski, a close adviser to Trump, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem expressed her support for significantly downsizing the agency, or potentially abolishing it altogether. This discussion caused concern among state emergency management agencies, which may have to manage increasing disaster-related damages with reduced federal resources.
There are also indications that the Trump administration is considering relocating FEMA from its Washington headquarters to another jurisdiction, according to one of the sources.
However, moving FEMA out of the capital could complicate coordination with other federal agencies. “FEMA itself is a small agency with the role of [overseeing] coordination” among emergency managers during major disasters “to make sure everyone is helping survivors as quickly and efficiently as possible,” the source said.
Hamilton was named acting administrator shortly after Trump assumed office. A former Navy SEAL, he had held nonpolitical supervisory roles within the departments of Homeland Security and State from 2015 to 2023. He also ran in a Republican primary for a Virginia congressional seat in 2024. As acting administrator, Hamilton does not require Senate confirmation.
The Government Accountability Office (GAO) is currently investigating whether Hamilton's appointment violated federal law due to his lack of experience. Chris Currie, the director of GAO's homeland security and justice team, informed a House panel that the inquiry is ongoing.
During a conference for emergency managers in Washington on Saturday, Guthrie shared insights on how Florida managed four major hurricanes in 2024. He encouraged attendees to take steps to protect their homes from damage by elevating them above flood levels.
"We've got to get people off the ground," Guthrie emphasized. In one of the counties affected by hurricanes in October, he pointed out that "elevated houses didn't have a drop of water in them."
Max Fischer for TROIB News
Nim Kidd, who heads the Texas Division of Emergency Management, interviewed for the position last month at the White House and is viewed as a leading candidate for the role of FEMA administrator. Additionally, Kevin Guthrie, the executive director of the Florida Division of Emergency Management, was also interviewed by White House officials, as noted by one of the sources.
Both Kidd and Guthrie are well-respected in the field of disaster management and were identified as potential FEMA nominees following President Donald Trump's election. They appear to satisfy a federal requirement stating that the administrator must possess “a demonstrated ability in and knowledge of emergency management and homeland security.” The position requires Senate confirmation.
These interviews occur during a tumultuous time for FEMA. During a private meeting last week with FEMA acting Administrator Cameron Hamilton and Corey Lewandowski, a close adviser to Trump, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem expressed her support for significantly downsizing the agency, or potentially abolishing it altogether. This discussion caused concern among state emergency management agencies, which may have to manage increasing disaster-related damages with reduced federal resources.
There are also indications that the Trump administration is considering relocating FEMA from its Washington headquarters to another jurisdiction, according to one of the sources.
However, moving FEMA out of the capital could complicate coordination with other federal agencies. “FEMA itself is a small agency with the role of [overseeing] coordination” among emergency managers during major disasters “to make sure everyone is helping survivors as quickly and efficiently as possible,” the source said.
Hamilton was named acting administrator shortly after Trump assumed office. A former Navy SEAL, he had held nonpolitical supervisory roles within the departments of Homeland Security and State from 2015 to 2023. He also ran in a Republican primary for a Virginia congressional seat in 2024. As acting administrator, Hamilton does not require Senate confirmation.
The Government Accountability Office (GAO) is currently investigating whether Hamilton's appointment violated federal law due to his lack of experience. Chris Currie, the director of GAO's homeland security and justice team, informed a House panel that the inquiry is ongoing.
During a conference for emergency managers in Washington on Saturday, Guthrie shared insights on how Florida managed four major hurricanes in 2024. He encouraged attendees to take steps to protect their homes from damage by elevating them above flood levels.
"We've got to get people off the ground," Guthrie emphasized. In one of the counties affected by hurricanes in October, he pointed out that "elevated houses didn't have a drop of water in them."
Max Fischer for TROIB News
