White House defends FEMA chief after reported hurricane season joke sparks Democratic calls for his removal.

White House Pushes Back on Reports, Defends Agency Readiness

The White House defended the Federal Emergency Management Agency on Tuesday following widespread criticism of acting FEMA Administrator David Richardson, who was reported to have joked that he was unaware the U.S. had a hurricane season. The comment, first reported by Reuters and the New York Times, was allegedly made during a private staff meeting.

A spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security later clarified that the remark was intended as a joke and reiterated that FEMA is fully prepared for the season, which began on June 1 and extends through November 30. The comment nevertheless drew criticism and calls for Richardson’s dismissal from prominent Democratic lawmakers.

“Well, of course, we know that we are into hurricane season now, and I know FEMA is taking this seriously, contrary to some of the reporting we have seen,” said White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt. “Secretary Kristi Noem and the FEMA leadership are all over this.”

Leavitt criticized media outlets for what she described as “sloppy and irresponsible” reporting, asserting that “serious people” were leading the agency’s disaster preparedness. She emphasized that the administration is committed to deploying federal resources where needed but also called on states to manage their budgets responsibly.

“This president has made it clear – we're not going to enable states to make bad decisions with federal tax dollars and then have the federal government later have to bail these states out,” Leavitt added. “We want to see states be responsible with their tax dollars to do as much as they possibly can.”

Democrats Call for Richardson’s Removal

Despite the administration’s defense, criticism mounted on social media and in public statements. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer posted on X, “I'm unaware of why he hasn't been fired yet,” referencing the Reuters report.

Representative Bennie Thompson of Mississippi also voiced strong opposition, telling Reuters, “Disaster response is no joke. If you don't know what or when hurricane season is, you're not qualified to run FEMA. Get someone knowledgeable in there.”

Meanwhile, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) warned last week that forecasters anticipate above-normal hurricane activity in the Atlantic basin this year, raising the stakes for FEMA’s response capabilities. The forecast puts additional pressure on the agency to demonstrate preparedness and effective leadership amid public scrutiny.

As the Atlantic hurricane season enters its peak months, the controversy surrounding Richardson’s remarks underscores the sensitivity and urgency of disaster response leadership. The administration continues to stand by its FEMA leadership while urging the media and political opponents to avoid politicizing emergency management efforts.