local
FEMA official who claimed he teleported to Waffle House ousted from agency, sources say
By AP via Scripps News Group at NewsChannel 5 WTVF (CBS affiliate)
· June 26, 2026
· 2 min read
A top FEMA official who had drawn scrutiny for bizarre past remarks including claiming he teleported to a Waffle House has been pushed out of the agency, four sources tell CNN.White House officials appointed Gregg Phillips in December to lead FEMAs Office of Response and Recovery, one of the ag...
Key takeaway The Department of Homeland Security, which oversees FEMA, confirmed Thursday that Phillips is leaving the agency, saying he is taking leave for personal reasons.
Why this matters in The Nashville
The departure of Gregg Phillips from FEMA's Office of Response and Recovery has implications for Nashville , where the agency's work is crucial in responding to natural disasters and other emergencies. As a community that has experienced its share of floods and tornadoes, Nashville relies on effective federal support to recover and rebuild. Phillips' willingness to resist moves that would have hobbled FEMA's work may have earned him some support among career officials, but his public image and inflammatory statements ultimately led to his ousting. The city's residents can only hope that his replacement will prioritize the agency's mission over personal agendas and conspiracy theories. With the region's history of severe weather events, it is crucial that FEMA's leadership is focused on providing timely and effective assistance, rather than generating controversy and embarrassment. Nashville's emergency management officials will be watching closely to see how Phillips' departure affects the agency's response to future disasters.
About this story
Original reporting by NewsChannel 5 WTVF (CBS affiliate) . The Nashville surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit NewsChannel 5 WTVF (CBS affiliate) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: June 26, 2026 ·
Source: NewsChannel 5 WTVF (CBS affiliate) ·
Reading time: 2 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? A top FEMA official who had drawn scrutiny for bizarre past remarks including claiming he teleported to a Waffle House has been pushed out of the agency, four sources tell CNN.White House officials appointed Gregg Phillips in December to lead FEMAs Office of Response and Recovery, one of the ag...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 26, 2026 by NewsChannel 5 WTVF (CBS affiliate) and curated for The Nashville readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by AP via Scripps News Group at NewsChannel 5 WTVF (CBS affiliate). To learn more about how The Nashville selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The Nashville, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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