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FEMA Chief Faces Congress Over Claims of Skipping Trump Supporters in Helene and Milton Relief Efforts

Nov 19, 2024, 03:27 PM

FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell testified before two House committees to address allegations of political bias within the agency's disaster relief efforts following Hurricanes Helene and Milton, which caused over 230 deaths across the Southeast. The controversy arose after reports, initially uncovered by The Daily Wire, alleged that a former FEMA employee, Marn'i Washington, instructed relief workers to bypass homes displaying support for President Donald Trump. Washington, who was subsequently fired, claims she was following directives from her superiors and that such instructions included avoiding communities labeled as 'political hostile territory' by the Biden administration. Republican lawmakers, including Rep. Sam Graves, Rep. James Comer, and Rep. Scott Perry, are demanding accountability and have called for an investigation into possible systemic bias. Criswell condemned the employee's actions, stating, "I do not believe that this employee's actions are indicative of any widespread cultural problems at FEMA," and committed to requesting an inspector general investigation. The hearings, conducted by the House Oversight and Transportation Committees, aim to ensure that FEMA returns to its core mission of delivering disaster relief impartially to all Americans in need.