President Trump intends to tap deputy FEMA administrator Peter Gaynor as the agency’s permanent director, 2 sources familiar with Trump’s decision tell Axios.
Why it matters: The administration has been operating without a confirmed FEMA chief during an active hurricane season after the nomination of Jeffrey Byard stalled in the Senate.
The state of play: Byard’s nomination had not been withdrawn as of Wednesday evening, per one administration official.
- But Trump has already made a decision to move forward with Gaynor, according to sources both inside and outside of the administration.
- Gaynor has served as the agency’s acting administrator while Byard’s nomination stalled in the Senate. The president was impressed with the way Gaynor handled Hurricane Dorian.