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ScoScoop: Trump expected to formally nominate Peter Gaynor as FEMA chief

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The state of play: Byard’s nomination had not been withdrawn as of Wednesday evening, per one administration official.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.
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