Story perspectives

DHS to Overhaul FEMA Leadership After Noem-Era Turmoil

6/27/2026

Left

Mullin Replaces FEMA

DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin said the agency will replace FEMA leadership to move past turmoil linked to Kristi Noem’s tenure.
Gregg Phillips, head of FEMA’s Office of Response and Recovery, has left the agency, citing personal reasons.
The Trump appointee spread election-fraud conspiracies and claimed 50-mile teleport to Georgia Waffle House.
FEMA officials said Phillips opposed Noem’s budget cuts and praised his protecting disaster-response capabilities.

Right

Phillips Teleport Fallout

Gregg Phillips’ claim January 2025 on podcast “Onward” he teleported 50 miles to a Georgia Waffle House led to his exit.
The Department of Homeland Security announced Phillips’ departure as personal, but officials say he was compelled to leave.
The New York Times interviewed Waffle House staff who recalled no such teleportation incident.
Phillips said cancer medication made him view the episode as biblical, not literal, teleportation.

Blindspot

Left coverage emphasized the leadership change aimed at moving FEMA away from the turmoil linked to Kristi Noem’s tenure and her proposed budget cuts, a detail not mentioned by the Right.
Left coverage also noted praise from career FEMA officials for Phillips’ resistance to those cuts and for safeguarding disaster-response capabilities, which the Right summary omitted.

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Mullin Replaces FEMA

DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin said the agency will replace FEMA leadership to move past turmoil linked to Kristi Noem’s tenure.
Gregg Phillips, head of FEMA’s Office of Response and Recovery, has left the agency, citing personal reasons.
The Trump appointee spread election-fraud conspiracies and claimed 50-mile teleport to Georgia Waffle House.
FEMA officials said Phillips opposed Noem’s budget cuts and praised his protecting disaster-response capabilities.

1 / 3