The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is facing backlash after reports surfaced that a supervisor instructed disaster relief workers in Florida to avoid homes displaying support for President-elect Donald Trump. The directive, issued in the wake of Hurricane Milton, has drawn significant criticism, particularly from political leaders and residents affected by the storm's destruction in late October.
Marn'i Washington, the FEMA supervisor at the center of the controversy, allegedly conveyed the instruction both verbally and through internal Microsoft Teams messages, according to reporting by the Daily Wire. "Avoid homes advertising Trump," Washington reportedly wrote in a memo that was shared among other guidance regarding safety measures for relief workers.
This directive, reportedly affecting at least 20 homes, resulted in some residents being bypassed for FEMA assistance simply due to political signage on their properties. Internal records revealed that staff documented their decisions with notes such as "Trump sign no entry per leadership" in FEMA's tracking system.
In response, FEMA expressed outrage over the incident, emphasizing that Washington's actions were unauthorized. "FEMA helps all survivors regardless of their political preference or affiliation, and we are deeply disturbed by this employee's actions," a FEMA spokesperson told the New York Post. "While we believe this is an isolated incident, we have taken steps to remove the employee from their role and are investigating the matter to ensure it never happens again."
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis condemned the incident, describing it as an example of broader political bias within federal agencies. "The blatant weaponization of government by partisan activists in the federal bureaucracy is yet another reason why the Biden-Harris administration is in its final days," DeSantis wrote on social media platform X (formerly Twitter). He also announced that Florida's Division of Emergency Management would be launching its own investigation into the alleged discrimination.
FEMA, meanwhile, has pledged to address any shortcomings and reach out to residents who may have been overlooked. "We are reaching out to the people who may have not been reached as a result of this incident," the agency stated. Washington has been reassigned from her duties in Florida while the investigation remains ongoing.
The controversy adds tension to an already strained relationship between federal relief efforts and hurricane-stricken communities. Hurricanes Milton and Helene caused widespread destruction in Florida and beyond. FEMA reports that it has aided over 365,000 households and delivered more than $898 million in relief since the disasters struck. "Helping people is what we do best, and our workforce across the agency will continue to serve survivors for as long as it takes," the spokesperson added.
The incident has reignited criticism of federal disaster response efforts, with President Biden recently addressing what he characterized as "disinformation" regarding FEMA's work. "It's just bizarre," Biden said during an October address from the White House. "They've got to stop this. They're being so damn un-American with the way they're talking about this stuff."
To rectify the situation, new FEMA teams have been deployed to the Lake Placid area of Florida, aiming to ensure that affected residents receive proper assistance. FEMA's internal investigation is working to identify the full extent of the impact and any additional consequences of Washington's directive.
While the probe continues, FEMA underscored its commitment to accountability and transparency. "We are horrified that this took place and therefore have taken extreme actions to correct this situation and have ensured that the matter was addressed at all levels," the agency said.
