Florida sues FEMA for alleged Trump supporter discrimination after hurricanes
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Waves crash along St. Pete Pier in St. Petersburg, Florida, as Hurricane Milton was expected to make landfall on Oct. 9. Photo: Bryan R. Smith/AFP via Getty Images
Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody sued FEMA officials Thursday for allegedly neglecting hurricane victims in households supporting President-elect Trump.
Driving the news: The lawsuit comes after a series of claims that the federal agency has a bias against Republicans and is diverting funds meant for natural disaster cleanup to house migrants.
- Trump was among those who amplified the claims, which gained enough traction that FEMA created a web page to address the misinformation swirling online.
The big picture: The lawsuit alleges that FEMA directed current and former employees to "ignore" homes "that displayed Trump signs or flags" when providing disaster relief, according to a press release from Moody's office.
- The complaint includes a report from conservative news outlet The Daily Wire that alleges FEMA supervisor Marn'i Washington directed emergency response workers to "avoid homes advertising Trump."
- The Daily Wire report also contains a screenshot of a Microsoft Teams message sent to FEMA and Department of Homeland Security workers. The message listed 'best practices' for the team to use when engaging with community members impacted by Hurricanes Helene and Milton.
According to the complaint, at least 20 homes with Trump signs or flags in Lake Placid, Florida, were skipped in October and November because of the guidance issued after Hurricanes Helene and Milton.
- Moody said in a statement that the lawsuit is meant to "find out how far this political discrimination reaches and to make sure all Americans who fall victim to devastating storms are served."
What they're saying: These actions were "a clear violation" of FEMA's values and principles, FEMA administrator Deanne Criswell said on X over the weekend.
- "This was reprehensible," she said. "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."
- A spokesperson for FEMA said it does not comment on pending litigation.
Behind the scenes: Washington, who has since been fired from the agency, said in an interview with Fox News that the action was protocol, as officials are directed to avoid hostility while providing aid.
- Washington added that she has become a scapegoat for the agency.
- "This was the culture," she said. "They were already avoiding these homes based on community trends from hostile political encounters. It has nothing to do with the campaign sign. It just so happened to be part of a community trend."
- Washington said that targeting specific homes based on their political leanings would violate the Hatch Act, which is meant to ensure that federal employees act in a nonpartisan way.
"Not only are these actions by a FEMA employee completely unacceptable, but the Committee remains deeply concerned that this is not an isolated incident at the agency," House Committee on Oversight and Accountability chairman James Comer (R-Ky.) said in a statement on Tuesday.
What's next: Criswell will appear before the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability on Nov. 19 to address the agency's effort to deliver aid.
- Committee chairman James Comer (R-Ky.) announced the hearing on Tuesday, following the discrimination reports.
Go deeper: Where FEMA's direct relief money is going
