Kristi Noem's incompetence matters

[struggle4progress]

1. FEMA head hasn't been seen in over a week

David Richardson has made no public appearances or statements following his appointment on May 8

Gustaf Kilander
in Washington D.C.
Thursday 10 July 2025 23:24 BST

FEMA Acting Administrator David Richardson has been absent during the federal response to the floods in Texas, prompting concerns about his leadership.

Richardson hasn’t visited the site of the floods, the deadliest in the U.S. in a quarter century, ending a longstanding tradition of FEMA leaders being publicly available following natural disasters.

“DHS and its components have taken an all-hands-on-deck approach” to the Texas flooding, Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin told Politico, pointing to aid given by the U.S. Coast Guard and Border Protection. “FEMA has deployed extensive staff to support Texas response and recovery operations based on staff skills and requirements.”

Former FEMA officials told the outlet that Richardson being away from the scene has prompted concerns that the Secretary of Homeland Security, Kristi Noem, is in charge of FEMA’s response to the tragedy ...

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/fema-david-richardson-texas-floods-b2786854.html