On Monday, U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) sent a letter to U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator Deanne Criswell expressing her outrage following reporting that a FEMA supervisor ordered relief workers to avoid approaching the homes of Trump supporters during Hurricane Milton relief efforts. In a recent interview following her termination, this supervisor alleged “FEMA always preaches avoidance first” and that she would welcome a congressional investigation.
FEMA Scandal Reinforces Americans’ Mistrust of the Federal Government
“I write to express my disgust with the blatant display of bias described in recent reporting by the Daily Wire—confirmed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)—indicating that a FEMA supervisor ordered relief workers to avoid approaching the homes of Trump supporters during Hurricane Milton relief efforts in Florida. The American people are already highly mistrustful of the federal government, and these actions only confirm their worst fears.”
FEMA Supervisor at Center of Scandal Says Bias Is a ‘Systemic Problem’ at FEMA
“According to these reports, FEMA employee Marn’i Washington advised a survivor assistance team to avoid homes with any sign of support for President-Elect Trump. Screenshots of FEMA’s logs confirm that dozens of homes were skipped over, with the aid workers noting ‘Trump sign no entry per leadership.’ While Ms. Washington was fired from the agency, it seems that this political discrimination exists across your organization. Ms. Washington indicated in a recent interview that this bias is a systemic problem at FEMA. According to Ms. Washington, ‘FEMA preaches avoidance’ of potentially ‘politically hostile’ homes.”
Blackburn Urges FEMA to Comply with Investigation Launched by Tennessee Governor and Attorney General
“FEMA’s most valuable asset is its reputation—which these recent examples of bias have critically harmed. This also raises questions about potential discrimination in other parts of the country affected by recent Hurricanes, including Tennessee. I wholeheartedly support Governor Lee’s and Attorney General Skrmetti’s announcement of an investigation into FEMA’s potential discrimination against Tennesseans, and I urge you to comply fully with this investigation and do everything in your power to regain the trust of the American people. Additionally, any individual who had knowledge of or has participated in any discrimination against an American based on their political affiliation should be held accountable and immediately fired. I look forward to your cooperation, and I will not hesitate to use Congress’ powers of oversight and accountability should the need arise.”
Click here for the full text of the letter.
