Former President Donald Trump railed against the Biden-Harris administration, saying they “abandoned” Americans in North Carolina who still need help after Hurricane Helene ravaged the state.
“The GREAT people of North Carolina are being stood up by Harris and Biden, who are giving almost all of the FEMA money to Illegal Migrants in what is now considered to be the WORST rescue operation in the history of the U.S.,” Mr. Trump wrote on social media early Monday.
“On top of that, Billions of Dollars is going to foreign countries!” he wrote, adding in all caps, “North Carolina has been virtually abandoned by Kamala!!! Drop her like she dropped you — for president Donald J. Trump. MAGA 2024!”
Mr. Trump and other Republicans have said FEMA lacks money for disaster relief because it has spent heavily on caring for illegal immigrants. FEMA said the money to house migrants comes from a separate pool of money approved by Congress.
On the organization’s fact-check page, it calls “false” the allegation that money was diverted to illegal immigrants.
“No money is being diverted from disaster response needs. FEMA’s disaster response efforts and individual assistance is funded through the Disaster Relief Fund, which is a dedicated fund for disaster efforts. Disaster Relief Fund money has not been diverted to other, non-disaster related efforts,” it said.
The page also aims to combat rumors that the organization doesn’t have any money to help hurricane victims.
“FEMA has enough money right now for immediate response and recovery needs. If you were affected by Helene, do not hesitate to apply for disaster assistance as there is a variety of help available for different needs,” it says.
However, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas warned last week that FEMA is out of money and needs a cash infusion from Congress for the disaster recovery.
Speaker Mike Johnson said on Fox News Sunday that the “streams of funding are different” when it comes to disaster relief funds and money for migrants.
The Louisiana Republican said Congress “will do its job” to get money to the states that need it once they are back in session after the election.
• Mallory Wilson can be reached at mwilson@washingtontimes.com.
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