Gregg Phillips, the newly appointed head of FEMA’s Office of Response and Recovery, is facing intense scrutiny following reports of past public statements in which he claimed to have been “teleported” against his will and promoted unsubstantiated conspiracy theories.
Phillips, who assumed leadership of the agency’s largest division in December, oversees federal disaster declarations and the distribution of emergency aid. His history of fringe claims has raised questions regarding the vetting process for high-level officials within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
Unconventional Claims and ‘Teleportation’
According to a CNN investigation into Phillips’ podcast appearances, the official has repeatedly described supernatural experiences. In a January 2025 episode of the podcast Onward, Phillips claimed his vehicle was once “lifted up” and transported 40 miles into a ditch.
In a separate anecdote from the same episode, Phillips asserted he was spontaneously transported 50 miles to a Waffle House in Rome, Georgia.
“Teleporting is no fun,” Phillips said during the broadcast. “You know it’s happening, but you can’t do anything about it… you just go with the ride.”
A Pattern of Controversial Rhetoric
The reports go beyond supernatural claims. Phillips, a long-time associate of right-wing activist Catherine Engelbrecht, has also utilized public platforms to suggest that COVID-19 and its vaccines were engineered to be lethal.
Additionally, Phillips has alleged that officials within the DHS—the very department that now oversees his office—were “planning the next assassination attempt” on Donald Trump following the 2024 attack.
FEMA Response
FEMA has dismissed the controversy, characterizing the inquiries as “silly” and “barely worth acknowledging.” In a statement to the press, the agency defended Phillips, suggesting his comments were personal and spiritual in nature.
“Many of the comments cited are taken out of context or represent personal, informal, jovial, and somewhat spiritual discussions made in the context of barely surviving cancer,” the agency stated, noting the remarks were made in a private capacity prior to his appointment.
The Stakeholders
The Office of Response and Recovery is a linchpin of American infrastructure, tasked with coordination during hurricanes, wildfires, and national emergencies. Former FEMA Director Craig Fugate famously established the “Waffle House Index” as a metric for disaster severity; however, Phillips’ literal claims regarding the restaurant chain mark a sharp departure from traditional agency communication.
As Phillips continues to lead the nation’s disaster response efforts, critics argue that these past statements could undermine public trust in the agency’s data-driven mission.
