House Republicans demand answers from FEMA on why pro-Trump homes were skipped

Dozens of House Republicans demanded on Thursday that the Federal Emergency Management Agency explain why homes with pro-Trump campaign signs were skipped over during hurricane relief operations, and to fire anyone involved.

In a letter led by Rep. Vern Buchanan, Florida Republican, 54 House Republicans called on FEMA to address reports that an agency supervisor instructed staff to avoid giving storm assistance to homes displaying campaign signs for President-elect Donald Trump following Hurricanes Helene and Milton.

The lawmakers wrote that FEMA supervisor Marn’i Washington directed relief workers in Florida to avoid up to 20 homes with yard signs or flags that supported Mr. Trump from the end of October to early November, “leaving homeowners without the opportunity to qualify for FEMA assistance.”

The practice was not an isolated incident, they wrote, extending to residents in Florida and the Carolinas. Ms. Washington also said in an interview this week that the practice was not isolated.

“Such blatant discrimination is a severe breach of FEMA’s duty to serve all Americans impartially, especially in times of disaster when people’s lives and livelihoods are at stake,” the lawmakers wrote. “It is alarming and unacceptable that a federal agency would exhibit such blatant and politically charged bias, disregarding residents based on their political beliefs. This conduct erodes public trust and undermines FEMA’s mission to deliver unbiased and effective aid.”

Ms. Washington was fired after messages of her advising relief workers to skip pro-Trump homes were leaked. The lawmakers demanded that FEMA “work to ensure that any other bad actors are identified and immediately held accountable.”

They also called on the agency to contact the families that were skipped and apologize to them, and provide them with the “highest level of assistance possible,” and to cease any political prejudice in providing relief to disaster victims.

“Americans deserve better. In this country, we protect all our citizens, regardless of political affiliation,” they wrote. “We urge FEMA to take swift and decisive action to address this issue, hold those responsible fully accountable and restore public trust in its ability to serve every American in need.”

The Washington Times has reached out to FEMA for comment. FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell will appear at a House hearing on Tuesday to examine the agency’s preparedness and response to the hurricanes.

The lawmakers’ letter follows a lawsuit filed by Republican Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody on Thursday alleging Ms. Criswell agreed to deny pro-Trump homes disaster relief alongside Ms. Washington.

A spokesperson from FEMA told The Washington Times that the agency “does not comment on pending litigation” and pointed to a prior statement from Ms. Criswell following Ms. Washington’s termination.

“I want to be clear to all of my employees and the American people, this type of behavior and action will not be tolerated at FEMA and we will hold people accountable if they violate these standards of conduct,” she said.

Ms. Washington said in a recent interview with reporter Roland Martin that her call to avoid the pro-Trump homes was not an act of political prejudice, but a move to avoid homes with hostile residents.

“Once we start seeing a trend, for example, if they just so happen to have these Trump campaign signs in front of their home, and that’s the characteristic that’s coming along with that, we have to proceed with precaution,” Ms. Washington said.

“FEMA always preaches avoidance first and then deescalation,” she said. “So this is not isolated. This is a colossal event of avoidance, not just in the state of Florida, but you will find avoidance in the Carolinas.”