Coverage dated June 1, 2025 to June 2, 2025

FEMA head told staff he was previously unaware US has a hurricane season

Headline from KVIA El Paso

Originally Published: 02 JUN 25 23:22 ET Updated: 03 JUN 25 00:08 ET By Gabe Cohen, CNN (CNN) — Staff at the Federal Emergency Management Agency were caught off-guard and left bewildered when the disaster relief agency’s new acting head David Richardson told personnel that he was previously unaware …

KVIA El Paso's own description from its feed. We collect headlines and these descriptions, not full articles; read the original reporting below.

Reports & sources

11 articles, oldest first.

  1. Honolulu Star-Advertiser

    FEMA chief sparks confusion by saying he didn’t know about hurricane season | Honolulu Star-Advertiser (opens Honolulu Star-Advertiser)

    Published

    Honolulu Star-Advertiser's feed description

    WASHINGTON >> Staff of the Federal Emergency Management Agency were left baffled today after the head of the U.S. disaster agency said during a briefing that he had not been aware the country has a hurricane season, according to four sources familiar with the situation.

  2. Salon

    What hurricane season? FEMA chief flusters staffers by appearing not to know about peak storm period (opens Salon)

    Published

    Salon's feed description

    David Richardson left staff shaking their heads when he appeared unaware that hurricane season had started.

  3. KVIA El Paso

    FEMA head told staff he was previously unaware US has a hurricane season (opens KVIA El Paso)

    Published

    KVIA El Paso's feed description

    Originally Published: 02 JUN 25 23:22 ET Updated: 03 JUN 25 00:08 ET By Gabe Cohen, CNN (CNN) — Staff at the Federal Emergency Management Agency were caught off-guard and left bewildered when the disaster relief agency’s new acting head David Richardson told personnel that he was previously unaware …

  4. WISH-TV Indianapolis

    FEMA director told staff he was previously unaware US has a hurricane season (opens WISH-TV Indianapolis)

    Published

    WISH-TV Indianapolis's feed description

    FEMA's new acting head, David Richardson, made comments that raised concerns about his experience managing natural disasters.

  5. The Guardian

    Fema chief tells staff he did not know US has hurricane season (opens The Guardian)

    Published

    The Guardian's feed description

    Staff reportedly baffled after remark from David Richardson – but spokesperson says comment was a joke

  6. Latin Times

    'Incompetent' FEMA Chief Who Didn't Know U.S. Has a Hurricane Season Now Claims It Was a Joke (opens Latin Times)

    Published

    Latin Times's feed description

    The Department of Homeland Security has released a statement claiming that the acting head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency was making a joke when he said he didn't know that the US had an

  7. Truthout

    Trump’s FEMA Chief Reportedly Didn’t Know the US Has a Hurricane Season (opens Truthout)

    Published

    Truthout's feed description

    Sweeping cuts made by the Trump administration have already left the government unprepared for climate disasters.

  8. Forbes

    FEMA Head Reportedly Didn’t Know US Has A Hurricane Season (opens Forbes)

    Published

    Forbes's feed description

    The disaster management agency told outlets that acting head David Richardson’s comments were made as a joke, but some staffers believe he meant it literally

  9. People

    Trump's FEMA Chief Said He Didn't Know U.S. Has a Hurricane Season. Officials Now Claim It Was a Joke (opens People)

    Published

    People's feed description

    President Donald Trump’s acting Federal Emergency Management Agency chief reportedly told staff he did not know that the United States has a hurricane season, but officials claim the statement was simply a joke.

  10. NBC News

    DHS says FEMA head was joking when he said he wasn't aware of hurricane season (opens NBC News)

    Published

    NBC News's feed description

    Acting Federal Emergency Management Agency Administrator David Richardson was joking when he said at a meeting Monday that he was not aware of the upcoming hurricane season, the Department of Homeland Security said in a statement.

Identical headlines usually mean shared wire copy. They are counted as separate articles but are not independent confirmation.

FEMA head told staff he was previously unaware US has a hurricane season | Since Then