The Transportation and Infrastructure Committee has asked the Federal Emergency Management Agency for documents after a Florida official who told hurricane relief workers to avoid a home displaying a Trump flag was fired. are.
In a letter to FEMA Director DeAnne Criswell on Thursday, Missouri Republican Party Chairman Sam Graves called for accountability for what happened as Floridians faced Hurricane Milton.
“As FEMA Administrator, you are responsible for leading the nation's efforts to prepare for, protect against, and respond to natural disasters,” the letter reads. “The Committee is concerned that under your leadership, FEMA has failed to provide assistance to all Americans, regardless of party affiliation.”
The letter came after FEMA confirmed to Fox News Digital that officials were directing aid workers to deny aid to residents who displayed Trump campaign signs in their homes. The Daily Wire first reported.
The outlet reported that about 20 homes in Lake Placid, Florida, were handed over without government assistance after the devastating hurricane. Hurricane Helen hit Florida almost two weeks ago.
House watchdog calls FEMA chief to testify as officials tell workers to avoid returning home with Trump signs
FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell (Al Drago/File)
In a statement to Fox News Digital, Criswell said the employee had been “terminated” and that the company “takes seriously our mission to help everyone before, during and after a disaster.”
FEMA officials tell hurricane relief workers to avoid homes with Trump signs as officials conduct cleanup efforts
“We take seriously our mission to help everyone before, during and after a disaster. This employee has been terminated and we have referred this matter to the Office of the Special Counsel,” Criswell said. said. “We will continue to do everything in our power to prevent something like this from happening again.”
A tattered President Trump flag is seen in the aftermath of Hurricane Helen in Florida. (Office of Representative Kat Cammack)
The Transportation and Infrastructure Committee asserted that FEMA's top priority is “a focus on equity.”
“However, under the Biden administration, FEMA's strategic plan states that FEMA's primary strategic objective is focused on equity, while preparedness and readiness is FEMA's third objective after climate change. They are being forced out,” the letter says.
Marni Washington, a fired FEMA disaster survivor assistance worker who led a group in Florida after Hurricane Milton, said on longtime media commentator Roland Martin's YouTube show that FEMA was a “politically hostile organization.” ” provides clear guidelines for leaving the community.
FEMA official fired for directing hurricane relief from Trump supporter's home
“FEMA's failure to ensure non-discriminatory relief to all Americans affected by disaster represents a serious failure of leadership,” the letter reads. “The blatant disregard by President-elect Trump's supporters is in direct contradiction to FEMA's core mission and values.”
The agency requested that FEMA provide the following documents:
- Please provide all documentation and communications sufficient to demonstrate when FEMA leadership became aware of the discriminatory guidance given to FEMA employees in Florida.
- Please provide all documentation and communications, if any, related to FEMA's efforts to contact and provide assistance to Florida residents who were skipped as a result of discriminatory guidance.
- Please provide all documents and communications, if any, related to FEMA's efforts to notify state and local officials of discriminatory guidance.
- Please provide all documents and communications, if any, related to FEMA's efforts to notify skipped residents of federal grants and assistance that may not be available.
- Please provide all documentation and communications related to actions taken to investigate whether homes in other communities or states have been similarly affected.
- Please provide copies of guidance documents and policies for field workers in response to Hurricanes Helen and Milton.
Thirty-five Republican committee members signed the letter, including Graves and subcommittee chairman Rep. Scott Perry (R-Pennsylvania).
Click to get the FOX News app
Criswell is scheduled to appear at a hearing on November 19th at 10am.
Fox News Digital's Peter Pinedo contributed to this report.
