FEMA Supervisor’s Bias Against Trump Supporters During Hurricane Response Draws Fire
A FEMA supervisor allegedly instructed disaster relief workers to avoid homes displaying Trump signs in the aftermath of Hurricane Milton in Florida. The directive, reportedly issued by Marn’i Washington, left at least 20 homes in Highlands County without an opportunity to qualify for federal aid, according to internal communications obtained by The Daily Wire.
Whistleblowers stated that Washington, who led the disaster assistance team in the area, gave the guidance both verbally and in group chats used by relief workers. Messages in FEMA’s tracking system documented skipped homes with notes like “Trump sign no entry per leadership.”
One FEMA worker expressed disbelief at the directive, saying, “I volunteered to help disaster victims, not discriminate against them.” Highlands County, a Republican stronghold, was severely impacted by the hurricane, with significant damage from flooding and tornadoes.
FEMA has responded to the controversy by removing Washington from her role and launching an investigation. A FEMA spokesperson described the incident as “deeply disturbing” and emphasized the agency’s commitment to serving all disaster survivors.
The whistleblower complaint described the guidance as undermining FEMA’s integrity and raising concerns about discrimination based on political beliefs. FEMA stated that over 365,000 households in Florida have received assistance following Hurricanes Milton and Helene.
This incident has drawn criticism from Republicans, who argue that political bias in disaster relief efforts damages public trust in federal agencies. FEMA pledged to prevent similar occurrences and ensure impartiality in its operations.
