FEMA chief confirms no leaks after lie detector test

In March 2025, Cameron Hamilton, the acting administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), was required by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem to take a lie detector test. This came shortly after Noem made controversial statements about potentially eliminating FEMA during a televised meeting. The meeting, which took place in late March, blindsided FEMA officials, who discovered the plans through media coverage rather than formal communication. The lie detector test was administered two days after Hamilton's meeting with Noem and Trump adviser Corey Lewandowski. Although lie detector results are not admissible in court due to their questionable reliability, they are still utilized by law enforcement to aid in investigations. The DHS expressed a strong commitment to identifying and prosecuting individuals who leak sensitive information, making it clear that their efforts to investigate such matters extend to all employees, regardless of their position or status. Hamilton, lacking formal qualifications in emergency management and with a background as a former Navy SEAL, has faced scrutiny regarding his role after Trump opted not to appoint a permanent FEMA administrator. This decision has intensified discussions about the agency's future, especially after Noem's remarks on reforming or potentially eliminating it. As of late March, Hamilton had also halted significant funding aimed at helping communities recover from natural disasters, further raising concerns among FEMA officials about the agency's future and stability.