Gregg Phillips, a senior official at the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), has stepped away from his role leading the agency’s Office of Response and Recovery amid concerns related to his public statements and overall perception, FEMA confirmed Thursday.
Phillips was appointed to his position in December by then-Homeland Security Secretary Kristi L. Noem. His office is responsible for critical operations, including pre-positioning equipment before hurricanes, managing disaster response efforts, and providing financial and housing assistance to disaster-stricken communities. Despite these responsibilities, Phillips’ tenure was marked by controversy due to past remarks alleging widespread illegal voting in the 2016 presidential election and unusual claims such as having "teleported" approximately 50 miles to a Waffle House in Georgia.
FEMA characterized Phillips’ departure as part of an effort to maintain focus on the agency’s mission. A statement from FEMA acknowledged his contributions in stabilizing the office and overseeing response efforts for recent emergencies, including Typhoon Sinlaku and a major winter storm in the Southeast.
David Arnold, who previously served as a senior FEMA official and left earlier this year, has returned to lead the Office of Response and Recovery in an acting capacity. The leadership change comes as FEMA continues to experience frequent shifts following extensive budget cuts and administrative transitions since the beginning of the Trump administration.
Phillips’ appointment drew scrutiny not only for his unconventional comments but also because he lacked prominent prior experience in managing emergency operations on a federal level. Before his federal role, Phillips worked with nonprofits and religious organizations in disaster settings and held senior human services positions in Texas and Mississippi.
Sources familiar with the situation indicated that Phillips’ entry into FEMA was facilitated by Susie Wiles, then chief of staff to former President Trump, who reportedly clashed with Noem and her top aide, Corey Lewandowski, over departmental management. After Noem’s departure from the Department of Homeland Security, incoming Secretary Markwayne Mullin has sought to redirect agency priorities, emphasizing stability and distancing FEMA from prior controversies.
Some FEMA staff expressed disappointment over Phillips’ removal, describing him as an advocate for preserving the agency’s mission and supporting career employees. However, others noted that his presence had become a reputational liability due to the attention generated by his public statements.
Since 2017, FEMA has seen a significant turnover of senior and career personnel amid political appointees’ efforts to reshape the agency. Mullin has reversed several policies instituted during Noem’s tenure, including rescinding high-level contract approval requirements, aiming to expedite disaster aid distribution.
Phillips’ departure marks the latest development in FEMA’s ongoing efforts to balance political leadership with operational demands during a period of considerable change.