HOUSTON (KIAH)—Homeland Security (DHS) employees were left in confusion when it seemed that the acting head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), which is housed in the department, claimed not to know that the U.S. has an official hurricane season.

David Richardson was appointed in May after the previous administrator, Cameron Hamilton, was let go after the Trump administration decided that the department needed a complete overhaul.

According to a Reuters report, staff members were unclear whether the acting FEMA leader was serious about his statements. Today, a DHS spokesperson is claiming it was all a joke.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt dismissed any concerns the public may have regarding Richardson's statement.

"It's serious business,'' Leavitt said when

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