FEMA is already down 2,000 people, and apparently his mission is to see it goes belly up while he threatens those who remain.
Richardson, a former Marine artillery officer and combat veteran, told staff in an all-hands call that was heavy on references to his military experience, that all decisions, including those on spending, would go through him.
"I, and I alone in FEMA, speak for FEMA. I'm here to carry out the president's intent for FEMA," Richardson, who was most recently assistant secretary for DHS' office for countering weapons of mass destruction, told the staff.
Standing behind a lectern and speaking in a forceful tone, Richardson said in his experience carrying out reforms that roughly 20% of an organization will resist.
"Obfuscation, delay, undermining. If you're one of those 20% of people and you think those tactics and techniques are going to help you, they will not, because I will run right over you," Richardson said. "Don't get in my way ... I know all the tricks."
The leadership change comes at a time when the agency, which is in charge of coordinating the federal government's response to disasters, is helping states and local communities prepare for the onset of hurricane season on June 1.
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