The administrator of the Federal Acting Emergency Management Agency David Richardson joked when he said at a meeting on Monday that he was not aware of the next hurricane season, the Ministry of Home Security said in a statement.
Reuters reported That Richardson said in a briefing that he did not know that the United States had a hurricane season, confusing staff members. The report, which said that it was not clear if Richardson was serious or joking, cited four anonymous sources familiar with the situation.
“Despite the spiritual attempts to falsely form a joke as a politician, there is no uncertainty about what FEMA will make hurricane this season. FEMA is focused on the response to US catastrophes and protection,” said a spokesperson for DHS. The spokesperson added that Richardson is “activated in preparation for the hurricane season”.
Richardson took the reins of FEMA last month. The previous interim administrator, Cameron Hamilton, was removed from his work After saying to the legislators at a congress hearing that he did not think that the agency should be eliminated. DHS denied that Hamilton’s ouster was linked to his testimony.
FEMA is responsible for coordinating the government’s emergency response to the areas affected by natural disasters, such as hurricanes. The hurricanes season takes place from June to November. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration predicted that there was a 60% of a season greater than normal This year, during which the United States could obtain six to 10 hurricanes, three to five of which could be “major”.
The Democrats castigated Richardson following the report on the meeting.
The head of the Senate minority, Chuck Schumer, Dn.y., referred to the Reuters report when he Written on x“And I don’t know why he has not yet been dismissed.”
Senator Amy Klobuchar, d-minn., Also targeted Richardson, Writing on x“Minimum requirement for FEMA chief: knowing when the hurricanes season is.”
President Donald Trump and his allies have repeatedly launched the idea of ending the emergency disaster agency.
During a visit to North Carolina in January to question the damage of Hurricane Helene, who swept the state at the end of last year, suggested Trump Review or delete FEMAThe caller “very bureaucratic” and “very slow”.
Internal security secretary Kristi Noem also suggested that FEMA should be eliminated. But without an alternative plan and as the hurricanes season approaches, Noem has also discreetly made efforts to operate the agency, sources familiar with the situation told NBC News.
Raquel Coronell uribe,, Jacob Soboroff,, Julia Ainsley And Laura Strickler contributed.
