Full Breakdown
FEMA Official Gregg Phillips Placed on Leave Amid Teleportation Claims
6/27/2026, 1:32:08 AM
Core Event: Phillips’ Departure from FEMA
On Thursday, the Department of Homeland Security confirmed that Gregg Phillips, the associate administrator of FEMA’s Office of Response and Recovery, is taking leave for personal reasons. Sources close to the agency say the move was not voluntary; they describe Phillips as having been “pushed out” after his public statements generated embarrassment for the department. Phillips, the third-highest ranking official at FEMA, had led the agency’s largest division since his December appointment.
Background & Context: Controversial Past and Appointment
Before joining FEMA, Phillips built a reputation as a far-right activist. He promoted the discredited “2000 Mules” election-fraud narrative, claimed millions of non-citizens voted in the 2016 election, and circulated violent rhetoric toward political opponents. He was appointed by the White House in December without Senate confirmation and without formal disaster-relief experience. In January 2025, during an appearance on the “Onward” podcast, Phillips said he had been “teleported” 50 miles to a Waffle House in Rome, Georgia, describing the episode as “no fun.” He later attributed the claim to heavy medication during cancer treatment.
Key Figures & Organizational Roles
- Gregg Phillips – Associate administrator, Office of Response and Recovery (ORR).
- David Arnold – Senior official appointed acting associate administrator for ORR.
- Markwayne Mullin – New Secretary of Homeland Security overseeing FEMA.
- Kristi Noem – Former DHS secretary who appointed Phillips.
- President Donald Trump – Commented publicly on Phillips’ teleportation claim.
Office of Response and Recovery: Scope and Resources
The ORR employs more than 1,000 staff and manages a budget of nearly $300 million, making it central to FEMA’s disaster-response mission, including distribution of manufactured housing and coordination of field operations after hurricanes, floods, and wildfires.
Official Statements & Agency Responses
A FEMA spokesperson praised Phillips for “stabilizing the Office of Response and Recovery and advancing key reforms to strengthen our mission delivery.” The DHS statement echoed the leave rationale, citing “personal reasons” and confirming Arnold’s acting appointment. President Trump remarked that Phillips’ claims “sound a little strange” and that he would “find out about it right now.”
Criticism, Opposition, and Internal Reactions
Multiple sources reported that DHS leadership grew weary of Phillips’ “embarrassment-laden” public image. A Washington Post source described him as “an image issue, with all the negative stories.” Critics highlighted his lack of disaster-relief credentials and the unverified nature of his teleportation anecdotes—Waffle House employees interviewed by the New York Times did not recall any such incident. Nonetheless, some career FEMA officials defended Phillips, noting his resistance to proposed cuts that could have hampered agency operations.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
- Voluntary vs. forced departure: FEMA’s public statement frames the leave as personal, while insiders claim he was compelled to exit.
- Use of the term “teleportation”: Phillips later asserted he never used the word, yet multiple podcast excerpts quote him saying “Teleporting is no fun.”
- Verification of the Waffle House incident: No corroborating evidence from staff at the alleged locations has emerged.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Since joining the agency, he has played a pivotal role in stabilizing the Office of Response and Recovery and advancing key reforms to strengthen our mission delivery,” — FEMA spokesperson
- “teleporting is no fun,” — Gregg Phillips, *Onward* podcast
- “I was in the opening days of intensive treatment, heavily medicated, not thinking about future headlines,” — Gregg Phillips, Truth Social post
- “What does teleport mean? Was he kidding?” — President Donald Trump, CNN interview
- “He was an image issue, with all the negative stories,” — Washington Post source
- “He showed interest in preserving the mission of the agency and helping us serve citizens,” — Current FEMA official, Washington Post
What’s Next for FEMA’s Response Office
David Arnold will lead the Office of Response and Recovery in an acting capacity as the agency prepares for the upcoming hurricane season. Under Secretary Mullin, DHS is expected to steer FEMA toward a new operational direction, while internal reviews may assess the impact of Phillips’ tenure on agency morale and public perception.
