David Richardson details FEMA response to Texas flooding and Kristi Noem's impact

In his upcoming book, “Texas Flood: Power, Money, Politics, History, Bureaucracy and Tragedy,” former acting FEMA administrator David Richardson addresses the agency’s response to deadly flooding in Texas during the July Fourth weekend last year. Richardson asserts that despite criticisms from Democrats regarding slow response efforts, the agency successfully maneuvered through obstacles to provide necessary aid to Texas.

Richardson, who resigned from FEMA in December 2025, attributes his departure to bureaucratic hurdles imposed by former Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem. Specifically, he cites a memo from Noem requiring her personal signature for any contract exceeding $100,000. Richardson noted that with daily contract needs reaching approximately $500 million, such a requirement created significant administrative layers. He stated that he eventually had to override DHS headquarters to ensure support reached Texas.

The book also discusses the Trump administration’s plans to restructure the agency and alleges that the Department of Homeland Security placed “spies” at FEMA headquarters to monitor his actions.