FEMA pressed for documents on alleged disaster relief bias

Following a key committee hearing Tuesday, panel members are pressing FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell to provide information that could determine whether the agency discriminate against certain properties displaying Trump campaign signs. The hearing came after testimony from whistleblowers inside the agency indicated they were instructed to skip those homes as they sought to provide disaster relief from the devastating hurricanes.

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“Recent whistleblower accounts allege that FEMA supervisors are deviating from the Agency’s mission and limiting aid based on the political affiliation of disaster survivors,” wrote Committee Chairman James Comer (R-KY). “In light of these allegations, the Committee seeks documents and information that will ensure transparency and ensure that disaster relief for Americans is not dictated by political affiliation.”

The committee opened its first investigation after whistleblowers claimed they were instructed to “avoid homes that advertise Trump” while canvassing homes damaged by Hurricanes Helene and Milton in Florida. The supervisor who issued those instructions, Marni Washington, was later fired from her role, according to Criswell, calling those actions “reprehensible.”

Criswell testified earlier this month that there was no evidence that the instructions extended beyond those under Washington’s control. However, MPs on the Oversight Committee pointed to other reports indicating that the practices “may be more widespread than you have led the Committee to believe”.

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The lawmakers quoted an unnamed FEMA official who told the committee that the practice of avoiding “white or conservative-dominated” neighborhoods was an “open agency secret that has been going on for years.”

Another whistleblower contacted the committee to testify that a FEMA contractor warned a “family of a disabled veteran” in Georgia to remove Trump campaign materials from their home to ensure they were not considered “domestic terrorists.”

“The committee is in the process of investigating these claims. If true, it would corroborate concerns that political discrimination extends beyond Mrs. Washington,” Comer wrote. “Furthermore, they suggest an apparent culture, whether sanctioned or not, within FEMA to politically discriminate against disaster survivors, particularly those who support President-elect Donald Trump.”

Washington has since defended its actions by noting that it was merely following protocol when issuing guidance to avoid some homes and areas over others.

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The language in the leaked documents was “brief,” Washington said, noting that it let the supervisors “know certain streets that we couldn’t do because of hostile political meetings.” she said THE Washington Examiner. According to communications obtained by Washington ExaminerWashington was encouraged and supported in her decision to avoid certain streets “to keep the team safe.”

Washington noted that not only did she and her teams create canvas houses with Trump signs, but they also “checked in and provided resources to Trump supporters.”

However, Washington said he added a bullet point in the team’s instructions about de-escalation, which he said was necessary because “FEMA workers were under threat of life.”

Documents requested by the committee include all disaster survivor assistance surveys and incident reports that relate to the survivor’s political affiliation, including but not limited to references to Trump or related campaign materials. Lawmakers are also demanding access to any instructions, policies or guidelines that address avoidance, de-escalation, disengagement and hostility.

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FEMA is also required to provide information on any reports or complaints the agency has received about not being contacted by FEMA staff or “apparent political discrimination,” as well as any internal employee reports or FEMA volunteers regarding political discrimination.

In addition to the documents, the committee is pressing FEMA to allow a meeting with Task Force Leader Chad Hershey, who led the Washington team, as well as the top official “with specific responsibility for disaster relief efforts in response to Hurricanes Helene and Milton in Georgia.”