Republican lawmakers are urging an investigation into allegations that FEMA workers avoided Trump-supporting neighborhoods during hurricane relief efforts. Reports claim workers skipped homes displaying Trump campaign signs in Florida and North Carolina.
Rep. Sam Graves (R-MO) and Rep. Scott Perry (R-PA) addressed DHS Inspector General Joseph Cuffari, citing concerns over claims that FEMA supervisor Marn’i Washington directed teams in Florida to bypass homes with pro-Trump signs. The lawmakers suggested this could indicate systemic issues within the agency.
Reports from North Carolina describe similar actions, where FEMA workers allegedly ignored neighborhoods with signs like “Make America Great Again.” Residents in these areas were reportedly left unaware of available aid.
FEMA Director Deanne Criswell, testifying before Congress last month, asserted that the Florida incident was an isolated case and denied that FEMA endorses any policies of political discrimination. Criswell confirmed she had requested an investigation into the matter through the Inspector General’s office.
Marn’i Washington, terminated over the allegations, claimed that other FEMA teams in Florida and North Carolina engaged in similar practices. She argued that the actions were not isolated but rather reflective of broader agency conduct.
Republicans insist a thorough investigation is necessary to determine whether political bias affected FEMA’s operations. They argue that fairness in disaster relief is essential to maintaining public trust in federal agencies.
