Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) chief leaves office after just six months, plunging the agency into chaos

Richardson, who led the Department of Homeland Security’s counter-weapons of mass destruction office, inherited FEMA’s top job in May after his predecessor was forced out after publicly opposing the administration’s stated desire to shrink or even dismantle the agency. From his first day on the job, Richardson displayed an unorthodox and confrontational leadership style, telling thousands of staffers at an all-hands meeting to “get out of my way” and declaring that he alone spoke for FEMA.