FEMA Scandal Shocks Trump

During a Monday all-hands meeting at FEMA, newly appointed agency chief David Richardson surprised staff by admitting he hadn’t known the U.S. had a hurricane season. According to four individuals familiar with the briefing, the comment left employees confused, as Richardson offered no indication whether he was joking. The timing and tone of the remark added to growing unease within the agency. FEMA has been experiencing significant internal disruption, including leadership shakeups, staffing losses, and delays in updating emergency response plans all during what forecasters warn could be an unusually active hurricane season.

Richardson assumed the role in May but has no prior experience in disaster management. Since stepping in, he has walked back a previously promised overhaul of FEMA’s disaster response strategy. Staff had expected the updated plan to be released by May 23. Instead, Richardson stated during the call that no changes would be made, citing concerns about overlapping with the Trump-era FEMA Review Council. This shift in direction has only added to internal frustration and confusion over the agency’s preparedness.

Richardson’s background is rooted in defense, not emergency response. A former Marine artillery officer, he also serves as the assistant secretary for countering weapons of mass destruction at the Department of Homeland Security a role he reportedly still holds concurrently. His appointment and ongoing dual responsibilities have raised questions about his capacity to fully lead FEMA during a high-risk period.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has forecast up to 10 hurricanes this season, several of which could be severe. The hurricane season officially began the day before Richardson’s comments, which made their timing all the more troubling. Internally, FEMA has been scaling back training exercises and regional workshops, due in part to budget constraints and travel limitations. This has sparked broader concerns about whether the agency can effectively support state and local governments in the event of a major natural disaster.

Nearly one-third of FEMA’s permanent staff have departed since the beginning of Trump’s second term, many citing low morale and a lack of clear leadership. Former FEMA Administrator Cameron Hamilton was dismissed earlier this year after public disagreements with the Trump administration over the agency’s direction.

In a recent statement, Acting NOAA Administrator Laura Grimm emphasized the critical role NOAA plays in forecasting storms and protecting communities, especially in light of past hurricanes that caused devastating inland flooding. AccuWeather’s chief meteorologist Jon Porter echoed these warnings, noting that while this year may bring fewer named storms, it only takes one major landfall to turn a season catastrophic.

As the season gets underway, FEMA faces intense scrutiny not just from outside observers, but from within its own ranks.