FEMA Employee Fired After Allegedly Telling Workers To Avoid Trump-Advertising Homes

A FEMA employee has been fired after allegedly instructing hurricane relief workers to bypass homes displaying Trump signs.

At a Glance

A FEMA employee was fired for allegedly telling a relief team to avoid homes with Trump signs.
The incident reportedly occurred during Hurricane Milton relief efforts in Florida.
FEMA’s Administrator condemned the action as violation of core values.
The fired employee claims this was not an isolated incident but a widespread policy in the agency due to safety.
Florida Governor DeSantis announced a state investigation into alleged federal discrimination.
The House Oversight Committee requested the FEMA Administrator address the incident.

FEMA Employee Fired Over Discriminatory Directive

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has terminated an employee for allegedly instructing a disaster relief team to avoid visiting homes with Trump-supporting yard signs during Hurricane Milton recovery efforts in Florida. This incident has ignited a firestorm of criticism and controversy.

According to reports, FEMA official Marn’i Washington advised the team through verbal communication and a Microsoft Teams chat.

FEMA employee fired for telling workers to ignore homes of Trump supporters during hurricane relief efforts https://t.co/tjXY5jxKd9

— CBS Evening News (@CBSEveningNews) November 10, 2024

FEMA’s Swift Response and Condemnation

FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell swiftly condemned the incident, emphasizing the agency’s commitment to non-discrimination in disaster relief efforts. In a statement, Criswell declared:

“This is a clear violation of FEMA’s core values and principles to help people regardless of their political affiliation.”

The agency has taken immediate action by firing the employee and referring the incident to the Office of Special Counsel to prevent future occurrences. FEMA is also reviewing the number of residences bypassed and has deployed teams to contact previously missed households, ensuring that all affected individuals receive the assistance they need.

Political Fallout and Investigations

The incident has sparked a political firestorm, with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis announcing a state investigation into potential federal discrimination against Trump supporters. DeSantis criticized the federal government, suggesting partisan bias within the federal bureaucracy.

At the federal level, the House Oversight Committee’s Chairman James Comer has requested FEMA Administrator Criswell to address the incident at a hearing.

Employee’s Response

Washington, the employee who was fired, has come out since her departure and claimed that the incident was not “isolated.” According to her account shared through a podcast, she was following a larger protocol surrounding “politically hostile” residences.

Washington said this is a practice that has been going on for years and accused FEMA of being dishonest in saying she wasn’t allowed to give the directive. Misinformation reportedly spread in the wake of storms Helene and Milton, prompting threats against aid workers and groups. She insisted there have been homes marked “politically hostile” on a number of occasions and that it is not specifically about Trump, but about safety.

FEMA Says It’s Committed to Impartial Assistance

In response to the controversy, FEMA said it was committed to helping all individuals regardless of political affiliation. Administrator Criswell emphasized:

“I want to be clear to all of my employees and the American people, this type of behavior and action will not be tolerated at FEMA and we will hold people accountable if they violate these standards of conduct.”

The agency highlighted that over 22,000 FEMA employees are dedicated to helping people during disasters, adhering to FEMA’s core values. As investigations continue, FEMA remains focused on providing assistance to all those affected by recent hurricanes, including Helene and Milton, which resulted in over 200 deaths and significant destruction across several states.