The acting FEMA department head said he did not know that the United States had a hurricane season, according to reports.
The Department of Homeland Security, which FEMA falls under, later issued a statement saying that FEMA head David Richardson was joking when he made the comment during a briefing, The Hill and Reuters said.
Originally, Reuters said that “It was not clear to staff whether he meant it literally, as a joke, or in some other context.”
For those unaware, the United States has a hurricane season that spans from June 1 to November 30 each year.
In 2025, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration predicts that there will be a 60% chance for “above-normal hurricane activity in the Atlantic [Ocean] basin.” The Administration is anticipating anywhere from 13 to 19 named storms throughout the season.
The FEMA head’s comment, whether joke or not, drew the ire and bafflement of Democrats across the country.
New York’s own Senate Minority Leader Sen. Chuck Schumer posted a screenshot of the Reuters article on X, commenting, “I’m unaware of why he hasn’t been fired yet.”
Rep. Jasmine Crocket of Texas mocked Richardson, writing on X, “Wait WHAT?! People are bracing for storms and this man just found out the weather exists?!”
“This is what happens when you hire vibes over qualifications,” She finished.
Richardson has been in charge of FEMA since May under Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem’s selection.
In a statement to The Hill, a DHS spokesperson said the following: “Despite mean spirited 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.”
Furthermore, the spokesperson told The Hill “that FEMA, under Richardson, is ‘activated in preparation for Hurricane Season.’”