DHS says FEMA head was joking when he stated he wasn’t conscious of hurricane season

Acting Federal Emergency Management Agency Administrator David Richardson was joking when he stated at a gathering Monday that he was not conscious of the upcoming hurricane season, the Department of Homeland Security stated in an announcement.

Reuters reported that Richardson stated at a briefing that he was not conscious the United States has a hurricane season, complicated staffers. The report, which stated it was unclear if Richardson was severe or joking, cited 4 unnamed sources aware of the state of affairs.

“Despite meanspirited attempts to falsely frame a joke as policy, there is no uncertainty about what FEMA will be doing this Hurricane Season. FEMA is laser focused on disaster response, and protecting the American people,” a spokesperson for DHS stated. The spokesperson added that Richardson is “activated in preparation for Hurricane Season.”

Richardson took the reins at FEMA final month. The earlier appearing administrator, Cameron Hamilton, was faraway from his job after he instructed lawmakers at a congressional listening to that he didn’t imagine the company must be eradicated. DHS has denied that Hamilton’s ouster was associated to his testimony.

FEMA is answerable for coordinating the federal government’s emergency response to areas affected by pure disasters, comparable to hurricanes. Hurricane season runs from June by way of November. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration predicted there’s a 60% likelihood of an above-normal season this yr, throughout which the United States might get six to 10 hurricanes, three to 5 of which may very well be “major.”

Democrats blasted Richardson following the report concerning the assembly.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., referred to the Reuters report when he wrote on X, “And I’m unaware of why he hasn’t been fired yet.”

Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., additionally took intention at Richardson, writing on X, “Bare minimum requirement for the leader of FEMA: know when hurricane season is.”

President Donald Trump and his allies have repeatedly floated the thought of terminating the emergency catastrophe company.

During a go to to North Carolina in January to survey the injury of Hurricane Helene, which swept throughout the state late final yr, Trump prompt overhauling or removing FEMA, calling it “very bureaucratic” and “very slow.”

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has additionally prompt that FEMA must be eradicated. But with out another plan and with hurricane season approaching, Noem has additionally quietly made efforts to maintain the company working, sources aware of the state of affairs have instructed NBC News.