The Trump administration is addressing criticism of Acting FEMA Chief David Richardson after he reportedly said he was unaware the U.S. had a hurricane season, raising questions about the agency’s preparedness for the busy season that officially began this week.Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer expressed his disapproval on social media, questioning why Richardson hasn’t been fired yet. According to Reuters, staff of the Federal Emergency Management Agency were baffled Monday when Richardson said in a briefing he was not aware the U.S. had a hurricane season.A Department of Homeland Security spokesperson said Richardson’s comment was intended as a joke, and the White House is downplaying concerns about preparedness. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said, “FEMA is taking this seriously, contrary to some of the reporting we have seen based on jokes that were made and leaks from meetings. Secretary Kristi Noem and the FEMA leadership are all over this, they are committed to ensuring that federal resources and tax dollars are there for Americans in need.”Hurricane season officially kicked off Sunday, with NOAA projecting a 60 percent chance of an “above normal season.”Part of FEMA’s plan includes replacing outdated processes and encouraging states to lead their own disaster response and provide relief to their residents. Some recent disaster declarations have been delayed or denied.The White House stated that it wanted to see states do as much as they could, and then the president would consider any request for federal aid. However, some experts are concerned about states with fewer resources that have not yet budgeted for FEMA’s changes.Hurricane season runs from June 1 until Nov. 30.
The Trump administration is addressing criticism of Acting FEMA Chief David Richardson after he reportedly said he was unaware the U.S. had a hurricane season, raising questions about the agency’s preparedness for the busy season that officially began this week.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer expressed his disapproval on social media, questioning why Richardson hasn’t been fired yet. According to Reuters, staff of the Federal Emergency Management Agency were baffled Monday when Richardson said in a briefing he was not aware the U.S. had a hurricane season.
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A Department of Homeland Security spokesperson said Richardson’s comment was intended as a joke, and the White House is downplaying concerns about preparedness.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said, “FEMA is taking this seriously, contrary to some of the reporting we have seen based on jokes that were made and leaks from meetings. Secretary Kristi Noem and the FEMA leadership are all over this, they are committed to ensuring that federal resources and tax dollars are there for Americans in need.”
Hurricane season officially kicked off Sunday, with NOAA projecting a 60 percent chance of an “above normal season.”
Part of FEMA’s plan includes replacing outdated processes and encouraging states to lead their own disaster response and provide relief to their residents. Some recent disaster declarations have been delayed or denied.
The White House stated that it wanted to see states do as much as they could, and then the president would consider any request for federal aid. However, some experts are concerned about states with fewer resources that have not yet budgeted for FEMA’s changes.
Hurricane season runs from June 1 until Nov. 30.
