Fact Check: <redacted_social_handle> leaked classified intel to a group chat — not once, but TWICE. Trump’s acting FEMA chief, David Richardson, didn’t know the United States has a hurricane season. #POTUS <redacted_social_handle> thinks there are nine stages of cancer, “hundreds of governors,” and that the Declaration of Independence was written AFTER the Civil War. Now we have <redacted_social_handle> — Secretary of Homeland Security — who DOESN’T EVEN KNOW WHAT FEMA STANDS FOR, let alone 👏🏼what 👏🏼FEMA 👏🏼actually 👏🏼does.

Fact Check: Did FEMA Chief David Richardson Say He Didn't Know About Hurricane Season?

What We Know

Recently, a claim circulated that David Richardson, the acting head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), stated he was unaware of the United States' hurricane season. This statement reportedly caused confusion among FEMA staff and drew criticism from lawmakers. According to Reuters, Richardson made this comment during a briefing, which led to swift reactions from Democratic lawmakers who expressed concern over his competence. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) had already predicted a 60% chance of an above-normal hurricane season, indicating the importance of awareness regarding such seasonal events (Washington Post).

However, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which oversees FEMA, later clarified that Richardson's remark was intended as a joke. A spokesperson for DHS stated, “Despite meanspirited attempts to falsely frame a joke as policy, there is no uncertainty about what FEMA will be doing this Hurricane Season” (NBC News). This clarification suggests that Richardson's comment may not have been a serious admission of ignorance but rather a poorly timed attempt at humor.

Analysis

The claim that Richardson was unaware of the hurricane season is partially true, as he did make a comment that could be interpreted as such. However, the context in which it was made is crucial. Multiple sources, including CNN and Snopes, report that Richardson's statement was later characterized by DHS as a joke. This raises questions about the reliability of the initial interpretation of his comment.

Critics, including Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, expressed disbelief over Richardson's comment, questioning why he had not been dismissed from his position (NBC News). The backlash highlights the political climate surrounding FEMA and its leadership, particularly under the Trump administration, which has faced scrutiny for its handling of disaster management (Washington Post).

While the initial claim about Richardson's lack of awareness is based on his own words, the subsequent clarification from DHS casts doubt on the seriousness of the statement. The sources reporting on the incident vary in their interpretations, with some framing it as a significant lapse in knowledge and others suggesting it was a miscommunication or a joke gone wrong.

Conclusion

The verdict on the claim is Partially True. While David Richardson did make a comment that suggested he was unaware of the hurricane season, the context in which it was made—later clarified as a joke by DHS—diminishes the severity of the claim. The incident reflects poorly on FEMA's leadership, but it is essential to consider the clarification provided by DHS when evaluating the truthfulness of the original statement.

Sources

1. FEMA staff baffled after head said he was unaware of US hurricane season
2. Acting FEMA chief's hurricane season comment was a joke
3. DHS says FEMA head was joking when he said he wasn't aware of hurricane season
4. FEMA's acting head David Richardson said he did not know about US hurricane season
5. FEMA head told staff he was previously unaware US has a hurricane season
6. Fact vs. Fiction: Claim That FEMA Acting Head Said He Didn't Know the U.S. Has a Hurricane Season