New Mexico FEMA Claims Director Faces Calls to Resign

State leaders accuse Jay Mitchell of prioritizing his own claims over others

Feb. 3, 2026 at 8:31am

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The director of the FEMA Hermits Peak/Calf Canyon Claims Office in New Mexico, Jay Mitchell, is facing mounting pressure to resign. Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham and other state leaders have accused Mitchell of putting his own FEMA claims before others, and an attorney for the victims said Mitchell has been harassing his office with inappropriate text messages.

Why it matters

The Hermits Peak/Calf Canyon fires were the largest wildfire in New Mexico's history, causing widespread damage and displacement. The FEMA claims process is crucial for helping residents and businesses recover, so allegations of misconduct by the claims director are concerning and could undermine public trust in the recovery efforts.

The details

Governor Lujan Grisham and other state leaders have called for Jay Mitchell's resignation, accusing him of prioritizing his own FEMA claims over those of other victims. An attorney representing some of the fire victims said Mitchell has been sending inappropriate text messages to his office, further undermining confidence in the claims process.

  • The Hermits Peak/Calf Canyon fires began in April 2022 and were not fully contained until August 2022.
  • The FEMA claims office led by Jay Mitchell was established in the aftermath of the fires to help residents and businesses file for federal disaster assistance.

The players

Jay Mitchell

The director of the FEMA Hermits Peak/Calf Canyon Claims Office in New Mexico, who is facing calls to resign over allegations of misconduct.

Michelle Lujan Grisham

The Governor of New Mexico, who has called for Jay Mitchell's resignation.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage public trust in the recovery process.”

— Michelle Lujan Grisham, Governor of New Mexico

What’s next

The New Mexico state government is expected to continue pressuring Jay Mitchell to resign, and may take further action if he does not step down voluntarily.

The takeaway

This situation highlights the importance of maintaining integrity and public trust in disaster recovery efforts, especially for a crisis as devastating as the Hermits Peak/Calf Canyon fires. Allegations of misconduct by a FEMA claims director could undermine the entire recovery process and leave victims further frustrated and displaced.