On May 7, acting FEMA Administrator Cameron Hamilton testified before Congress, rejecting former President Trump’s idea of dismantling FEMA. Just before the hearing, DHS officials prepared to fire him—revoking his credentials and nearly escorting him from the building. He was allowed to testify, but was dismissed the next day, in what many saw as retaliation.

However, insiders told Reuters Hamilton’s removal had been in motion for weeks. Trump loyalists believed he wasn’t moving fast enough to downsize FEMA. While DHS claimed Hamilton wasn’t fired but reassigned to the Department of Education, friends say he expected the termination.