In a move signalling a profound shift for America's emergency response infrastructure, the Trump administration is set to install a new head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) nicknamed 'The Terminator'. This appointment marks the latest attempt to dismantle and reshape the aid agency.
The 'Terminator' Takes Charge
Karen Evans will become the third person to lead FEMA this year alone, following the resignation of her predecessor, David Richardson. Richardson departed amid a wave of criticism over the agency's handling of the deadly Texas floods earlier this year.
Evans, a former FEMA chief of staff and cybersecurity official, has earned her formidable nickname through a ruthless approach to government expenditure. "Her nickname was the terminator, she was terminating grants, terminating contracts, terminating people," revealed an ex-senior official. Another former official told CNN that Evans is uncompromising in spotting government waste, describing her as "the enforcer for DHS" whose job was to "effectively grind FEMA to a halt."
This perspective is echoed by another former agent, who stated, "Her intent was just to put out the least amount of money possible and not put any money into places or activities that didn't align, or even suggested may not align with their priorities."
A Controversial Push for Efficiency
While some within the administration have praised Evans for being an effective force in improving efficiency and cutting perceived waste, her methods have raised significant concerns. Her hunger for cleaning up government is reported to often lead to unintended consequences.
"She was going through, line by line, and disapproving things. She often didn't know what they meant or what would happen," a source commented, highlighting the potential risks of such a stringent approach to budget-cutting in a critical emergency response agency.
This top-down control extends beyond Evans. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has also kept a tight grip on FEMA programs, requiring her personal approval for any agency expenditure over $100,000—a policy that was heavily criticised during the response to the Texas floods.
Evans has also faced criticism from liberals for allegedly pushing to stop Muslim organisations from receiving grant funding. Internally, her leadership has created an atmosphere of caution. A senior FEMA official explained that staff now "had to ensure we were being polite and respectful" in proposals, avoiding language that could be deemed 'threatening'.
A Fundamental Reshaping of FEMA
This leadership change is part of a broader, systematic overhaul of FEMA since Donald Trump returned to office in January. The administration has slashed mitigation funding and placed requirements on preparedness grants that compel recipients to comply with the president's immigration agenda.
The upheaval has been significant. About 18 percent of the agency´s permanent full-time employees had departed as of June, including 24 senior-level staffers, according to the Government Accountability Office.
To formalise this transformation, Trump appointed a 12-member review council led by Secretary Noem and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. This council is tasked with delivering recommendations on how to reform FEMA and push more responsibility for disaster preparedness, response, and recovery to the states. The council's findings are expected in December.
However, some observers are sceptical, viewing Evans' appointment as a way for the administration to install a compliant figurehead. "Karen doesn't have any real power. Karen is there to do whatever she's told," an ex-senior official claimed, suggesting her role is more about implementing a pre-determined agenda than leading independently.
This perspective aligns with the long-stated goals of Homeland Security Secretary Noem, a known critic of FEMA who has expressed a desire to 'clean house' and devolve disaster relief power to state level. As Evans takes the helm, the fundamental mission and operational capacity of one of America's most vital emergency agencies hangs in the balance.
