TYLER, Texas (KLTV) – The Trump administration is considering moving FEMA headquarters to Texas and hire Nim Kidd, Chief of the Texas Department of Emergency Management, as their new leader, according to two anonymous former FEMA officials speaking with Politico.
Kidd has been considered for the role since February, with the Trump administration interviewing him for the position during that time. Kidd declined the position, saying publicly in a LinkedIn post that he was not ready to leave Texas.
“While there is some truth in the statement that I have had conversations with President Trump and his administration about the future of FEMA, I am committed to serving Texas first,” Kidd posted in February. “I am committed to working together to create the very best possible version of FEMA to support the American people. However, my work in Texas is not done.”
However, following Monday’s resignation of acting FEMA Chief David Richardson, an opening for the leadership position is now available.
The FEMA review council will now decide on whether to move FEMA to Texas. The Trump-appointed 13-member council includes Kidd, Governor Greg Abbott, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, and several state-level officials across the country. Currently, there is no set day on when a final decision will be made on the potential move.
Kidd has a multi-decade long history in emergency response and management, first beginning his career as a volunteer firefighter in La Vernia 33 years ago. According to his biography on the Texas Department of Emergency Management website, Kidd has served the TDEM since 2010 as Chief. From 2004 to 2010, he was the City Emergency Manager for the city of San Antonio. In 1997, he was an original member of Texas Task Force One, being deployed to ground zero of the World Trade Center after the 9/11 attack.
More recently, he’s been part of the response to the Hill Country floods that happened in July. He testified on how Texas could improve its emergency responses, including making a consistent statewide communication infrastructure system to use during emergencies and disasters.
There’s currently no statement from Kidd on the recent FEMA changes or opening for leadership.
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