He was appointed to the position by President Donald Trump in April 2017 and confirmed by the United States Senate in June 2017.

[citation needed] Long headed the Alabama Emergency Management Agency from 2008 to 2011 under Governor Bob Riley and developed the state's response to the H1N1 influenza.

[6] President Donald Trump nominated Long to be administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency on April 28, 2017.

[10][11] In September 2018, Politico reported that Long was under investigation by the FEMA inspector general because he allegedly used government vehicles to commute between Washington, D.C., and his home in Hickory, North Carolina.

[13] In February 2019, Long announced his resignation as FEMA Administrator, effective March 8, following questions over his use of his government vehicle.