Richardson also oversaw the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction office.
In a statement to ABC News, Richardson said he accepted the temporary role amid urgent need.
“I agreed to be the acting administrator through hurricane season when others wouldn’t. Hurricane season ends on December 1,” he said. “Since the danger has largely passed, I can now leave for other opportunities. Many were asked. One raised his hand and said, ‘I’ll do it.’ I knew hurricane season was three weeks away and time was of the essence.
“I didn’t hesitate. It was the same in the 2006 during the worst days of Iraq and the streets of Ramadi. Nobody wanted to train and fight alongside the Iraqis. I said, ‘I’ll do it.’”
DHS said FEMA Chief of Staff Karen Evans will assume the acting role Dec. 1.
A spokesperson praised Richardson’s service, saying he “led FEMA through the 2025 hurricane season, delivering historic funding to North Carolina, Texas, Florida, New Mexico and Alaska, and oversaw a comprehensive review that identified and eliminated serious governmental waste and inefficiency, while refocusing the agency to deliver swift resources to Americans in crisis.,” ABC News added.
Richardson’s leadership came under scrutiny after deadly flooding in Texas in July. During a House Transportation Committee hearing, Rep. Greg Stanton, D-Ariz., criticized FEMA’s response.
“You’re the leader, but you did not lead as you are required to by federal law. But worse, you seem uninterested to learn what went wrong and how to respond,” Stanton said.
Richardson was reportedly vacationing with his two sons during the flooding — later testifying he coordinated operations remotely and stayed in contact with Texas officials and the White House.
Sources close to him cited by ABC News said he was “on the phone from the moment the floods struck” and returned to Washington as quickly as possible.
Earlier this year, an internal review said FEMA was “not ready” for the 2025 season, a claim DHS disputed.
