FEMA's new chief David Richardson left staff confused after saying during a briefing that he didn’t know the US had a hurricane season, just one day after it officially began. While officials later claimed it was a joke,

An official from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, which oversees FEMA, said he meant the comment as a joke.

The Trump administration is addressing criticism of Acting FEMA Chief David Richardson after he reportedly said he was unaware the U.S. had a hurricane season, raising questions about the agency's preparedness for the busy season that officially began this week.