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New FEMA head says he will "run right over" staff who resist his changes
Reuters ^ | May 9, 2025 2:50 PM UTC | Leah Douglas and Nathan Layne

Posted on 05/09/2025 6:41:26 PM PDT by E. Pluribus Unum

Summary

WASHINGTON, May 9 (Reuters) - David Richardson, the new head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, told staff on Friday he will "run right over" anyone that resists changes and that all delegation of authority in the agency is immediately suspended.

Richardson spoke one day after he was appointed to replace acting FEMA chief Cameron Hamilton, who was ousted by Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem after telling a congressional hearing he did not support eliminating the agency.

President Donald Trump and Noem have called for the agency to be shrunk or even abolished, arguing that many of its functions can be carried out by the states, a stance that is already leading to decreased federal aid for disasters.

Richardson, a former Marine artillery officer and combat veteran, told staff in an all-hands call that was heavy on references to his military experience, that all decisions, including those on spending, would go through him.

"I, and I alone in FEMA, speak for FEMA. I'm here to carry out the president's intent for FEMA," Richardson, who was most recently assistant secretary for DHS' office for countering weapons of mass destruction, told the staff.

Standing behind a lectern and speaking in a forceful tone, Richardson said in his experience carrying out reforms that roughly 20% of an organization will resist.

"Obfuscation, delay, undermining. If you're one of those 20% of people and you think those tactics and techniques are going to help you, they will not, because I will run right over you," Richardson said. "Don't get in my way ... I know all the tricks."

The leadership change...

(Excerpt) Read more at reuters.com ...


TOPICS: Government; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: davidrichardson; fema

1 posted on 05/09/2025 6:41:26 PM PDT by E. Pluribus Unum
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To: E. Pluribus Unum

Exactly the right approach. I wish every Trump appointee would give that speech to their teams.


2 posted on 05/09/2025 6:46:31 PM PDT by ClearCase_guy (People who receive less results for effort will naturally put in less effort when the game is rigged)
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To: E. Pluribus Unum

Can them sir.


3 posted on 05/09/2025 6:56:29 PM PDT by MeneMeneTekelUpharsin (Freedom is the freedom to discipline yourself so others don't have to do it for you.)
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To: E. Pluribus Unum

They better. The complete lack of concern for taxpayer money and fair treatment by these folks is crazy.


4 posted on 05/09/2025 6:58:27 PM PDT by KC_Conspirator
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To: ClearCase_guy
Me too!

This is the ONLY way things should work now!

5 posted on 05/09/2025 7:00:04 PM PDT by nopardons
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To: E. Pluribus Unum

I wonder why he’s a single dad.


6 posted on 05/09/2025 7:00:27 PM PDT by Lisbon1940 (Don’t want to hurt no kangaroos )
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To: MeneMeneTekelUpharsin
Take a page out of “The Ballad of Hank Williams”

Well, he fired my ass and he fired Jerry Rivers,
And he fired everybody just as hard as he could go.
And he fired ol’ Cedric and he fired Sammy Pruitt,
And he fired some people that he didn't even know!

7 posted on 05/09/2025 7:01:12 PM PDT by cross_bearer_02
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To: E. Pluribus Unum
What a bunch of corrupt pampered assh*les. Fedgov had millions of them. There are still a few hundred thousand that need to go find real work. These people in these all these departments act as if they own these departments, like private companies, they can do what they want, when they please, eff you attitude.

It's as if these people have never seen or experienced fast abrupt changes that no one likes. It's what happens in the real world on a routine basis. These posers thought they never would be fired...Jobs for life...fat bloated taxpaid pensions...Now they're acting like the world is coming to an end because they're experiencing what most have experienced, sometimes repeatedly. Screaming and threatening to kill people, the president, warning it's the end of the country, etc.

It's quite a spectacle. Trump brought all the freeloaders and cockroaches out into the open. Their golden goose is getting choked.

8 posted on 05/09/2025 7:08:57 PM PDT by dragnet2 (Diversion and evasion are tools of deceit)
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To: E. Pluribus Unum

About damn time.


9 posted on 05/09/2025 7:17:06 PM PDT by eyedigress (Trump is my President!)
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To: E. Pluribus Unum

Good attitude!


10 posted on 05/09/2025 7:29:24 PM PDT by Georgia Girl 2 (The only purpose of a pistol is to fight your way back to the rifle you should never have dropped)
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To: Lisbon1940

What are you saying Sis?


11 posted on 05/09/2025 7:33:05 PM PDT by A strike (ICE ICE baby !)
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To: E. Pluribus Unum

Previously we’ve also heard “Words” from Blondi and Kash.

What I’m waiting on is to view the action taken against the 20% (or more likely 60%) who do try to resist.


12 posted on 05/09/2025 7:39:28 PM PDT by Carl Vehse (Make Austin Texas Again!)
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To: E. Pluribus Unum

FOLLOW OR GET THE H OUT OF MY WAY.

HE IS LEADING


13 posted on 05/09/2025 8:21:28 PM PDT by ridesthemiles (not giving up on TRUMP---EVER)
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To: E. Pluribus Unum

It’s called “WINNING”

After Katrina, FEMA sent folks to S. MS to coach folks how to game the system and get money they had no right to...


14 posted on 05/10/2025 5:34:55 AM PDT by trebb (So many fools - so little time...)
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