Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody has filed a lawsuit against current and former Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) employees for allegedly ordering them to ignore storm victims who supported President-elect Trump. I woke you up.
The revelations made headlines after a whistleblower alleges that FEMA officials in Lake Placid, Florida, were instructed to ignore storm-affected households that showed support for Trump.
“FEMA employees followed these instructions and entered messages into government databases, such as 'President Trump has signed a no-trespass order for leadership,'” the complaint states. “According to the whistleblower, “at least 20 homes with President Trump signs and flags'' in Lake Placid, Florida “were denied access in late October and November due to guidance.'' .”
Moody vowed to investigate the allegations as Floridians continue to face the threat of damaging storms this season.
FEMA employee fired for instructing staff to avoid aid to Trump supporters, says agency is making her a scapegoat
Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody has filed a lawsuit against FEMA Administrator DeAnne Criswell and former FEMA Supervisor Marni Washington. (Tristan Wheelock/Bloomberg via Getty Images, File)
“Hurricane season isn't over yet, and the federal agency responsible for emergency response has been embroiled in a scandal that revealed it was withholding aid from Florida storm victims who supported President Trump.” said the Attorney General. “I will investigate the extent of this political discrimination and take swift legal action to ensure that all Americans affected by this devastating storm, regardless of their political affiliation, receive redress. Masu.”
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said he supports legal action and has directed other state officials to take “all necessary steps” to investigate and hold those suspected of wrongdoing accountable.
“It is unacceptable for the federal government to discriminate against Floridians who voted for Mr. Trump, especially in the aftermath of the hurricanes,” he said.
When Fox News Digital contacted FEMA for comment on the lawsuit, a FEMA spokesperson said, “FEMA does not comment on pending litigation.” issued a statement FEMA Administrator DeAnne Criswell announced the incident and the employee's termination over the weekend.
Fired FEMA employee says instructions to skip Trump Home were part of 'great avoidance' policy
On Saturday, Criswell confirmed to Fox News Digital that the employee had been fired, calling her actions “reprehensible” and in line with FEMA's core value of helping people regardless of political affiliation. He said that it was a clear violation of his views and principles.
A tattered Trump 2024 flag flies on a property in Florida damaged by Hurricane Helen. (Office of Representative Kat Cammack)
A FEMA spokesperson told Fox News on Friday that the agency is “deeply disturbed” by the actions of the fired workers, but insisted this was an “isolated incident.”
Fired FEMA Supervisor Marni Washington says her actions were consistent with agency guidance and not isolated to her team, claiming FEMA is making her a scapegoat did.
“Why is this happening to me? I am the one who wrote down the memo from my boss and my notation.” [Microsoft] The team's chats were exposed by the search capabilities team,” Washington told “Fox News@Night” on Wednesday.
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The lawsuit seeks punitive damages from Washington and Criswell in their respective capacities.
Fox News Digital's Gabriel Hays, Michael Dorgan, Sarah Rumpf-Whitten and Peter Pinedo contributed to this report.
