FEMA Search and Rescue Chief Resigns Citing Chaos

Ken Pagurek, chief of FEMA’s urban search and rescue division, resigned in protest over Trump administration policies that he said delayed life-saving disaster responses. The final catalyst was the July 4, 2025, Texas Hill Country floods that killed 120 people. Pagurek criticized a new rule requiring Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem’s personal approval for any FEMA expense over $100,000—a bottleneck during urgent crises. He described the resulting dysfunction as “chaos,” citing delayed deployment of aid teams and unanswered calls from flood victims. Despite claims by DHS that no delays occurred, multiple FEMA officials and lawmakers argue otherwise. The resignation follows a string of high-level FEMA departures amid deep staffing cuts. Trump has previously said he aims to phase out FEMA, which experts warn could endanger federal disaster response capacity at a time of increasing climate-related emergencies.

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Source: NYTimes