A top Trump administration official at the Federal Emergency Management Agency has been placed on leave after coming under scrutiny for past public comments, the agency confirmed Friday, amid a broader leadership overhaul at the Department of Homeland Security.

FEMA said Gregg Phillips, who headed the agency's Office of Response and Recovery, is on "leave for personal reasons," but did not indicate whether the leave is temporary or permanent.

Phillips made headlines after CNN reported in March that he had claimed during a podcast interview he once teleported about 50 miles to a Waffle House in Georgia.

The Washington Post first reported Phillips' departure, citing a source who said he was asked to step aside because of concerns about public perception.

"Since joining the agency, he has played a pivotal role in stabilizing the Office of Response and Recovery and advancing key reforms to strengthen our mission delivery," a FEMA spokesperson told The Hill.

David Arnold, who reportedly left the agency earlier this year, will serve as acting head of the office "to guide the agency through this transition," according to the spokesperson.

His departure comes as the Trump administration continues reshaping FEMA under new DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin, who succeeded Kristi Noem.

Before arriving at FEMA, Phillips drew national attention for his work examining allegations of noncitizen voting in the 2016 election.

During his time at the disaster response agency, Phillips oversaw one of the agency's most critical operational divisions.

The Office of Response and Recovery coordinates federal disaster response efforts, manages FEMA's field operations, provides temporary manufactured housing for disaster victims, and helps states and local communities recover from natural disasters and terrorist attacks.

The agency has not said when Phillips' leave began or whether he is expected to return to his position.