### "Acting FEMA Chief's Comment on Hurricane Season Sparks Concerns"

In a recent meeting with FEMA staff, acting head David Richardson reportedly stated he was unaware that the United States has a hurricane season. The comment, as recounted by two staff members, left them uncertain whether Richardson was serious. The Federal Emergency Management Agency later clarified that the remark was intended as a joke.

David Richardson, who has a background in the Marines and has worked within the Department of Homeland Security's Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction Office, is a relatively recent addition to FEMA, joining in May. His limited experience in emergency management has already caused some unease among agency employees, and his latest remark—delivered just one day after the Atlantic hurricane season began—might exacerbate those concerns.

In response to the controversy, the Department of Homeland Security defended Richardson's comment as humor. However, the statement emphasized FEMA's preparedness for the hurricane season and hinted at broader reforms within the agency aimed at reducing what the Trump administration views as bureaucratic excess.

The timing of Richardson's comment is particularly sensitive. The hurricane season, running from June 1 through November 30, is one of FEMA's busiest periods, marked by high vulnerability to large-scale disasters that can strain state and local response capabilities. Complicating matters further, FEMA has undergone significant staffing reductions.

During the same meeting, Richardson allegedly suggested that FEMA handle this year's hurricane season similarly to last year's efforts. Yet, given the agency's current diminished workforce, employees have voiced concerns about the feasibility of this strategy. Since the onset of the Trump administration, about one-quarter of FEMA's full-time staff have departed, including one-fifth of the coordinating officers responsible for managing large-scale disaster responses.

The staffing cuts stem from a push by the Department of Government Efficiency, previously led by Elon Musk, to dramatically downsize the federal workforce. Richardson's predecessor, Cameron Hamilton, who was ousted in early May, a day after articulating to Congress the critical role of FEMA in community support during crisis periods, seemed to clash with President Trump’s suggestions of eliminating the agency.

Expressing strong leadership intentions, Richardson made it clear on his first full day as acting administrator that any employee obstructing his agenda would be dealt with unflinchingly, further contributing to the atmosphere of tension and uncertainty within FEMA.