Gov. Ron DeSantis fired back at Vice President Kamala Harris in an interview on Fox News' “Hannity” on Monday, as Florida's governor prepares for another hurricane, Hurricane Milton, to hit the state.
“It's delusional for Kamala Harris to try to claim that I'm somehow selfish in only focusing on the people of Florida,” DeSantis said. “She has no role in this. In fact, she has been vice president for three and a half years, and I have dealt with many challenges under this administration, and she has no role in any of these efforts.” has not contributed anything.”
NBC News, then ABC News, reported Monday that the Florida governor was not answering calls from Harris about storm recovery efforts, citing an anonymous aide to the governor that the calls were political in nature. He quoted the statement.
Asked by Fox News' Sean Hannity if he had ever called to prepare for a hurricane, DeSantis said, “No.”
For the latest FOX News weather updates on Hurricane Milton, go here.
Gov. Ron DeSantis said “Hannity” Kamala Harris “played no role” in the hurricane response process. (Fox News)
“She has no role in this process. I'm in contact with the President of the United States. I'm in contact with the FEMA Director. Naturally, I control all state agencies and we all “We support local institutions in the government,” he added.
When Harris was asked about DeSantis' reported phone hijacking on Monday, the vice president accused her of playing politics.
“People desperately need help right now, and playing politics at this moment of crisis is completely irresponsible and self-serving,” Harris told reporters on Monday. Ta. “This is about political gamesmanship, not doing the job we are sworn to do to put the people first.”
DeSantis said he worked well with both the Trump and Biden administrations on hurricane preparedness and response efforts.
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U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris during a campaign event at the Philip Chosky Theater on Wednesday, September 25, 2024 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA. (Rebecca Droke/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
“She's the first to try to politicize this storm, and she's doing it solely for her own campaign,” DeSantis said. “I don't have time for political games. Some people's lives are at stake, others' homes and property are at stake. We are 100 percent focused on the mission.”
Commenting on the White House response, Press Secretary Andrew Bates told Fox News Digital, “A wide range of leaders from both parties and all affected states praised the bipartisan response to Hurricane Helen. Republican Governor Henry McMaster responded, “Great.'' “They're doing a great job,” said Republican Sen. Thom Tillis of North Carolina. “We're seeing incredible support from the federal government to the state,” Asheville Mayor Esther Manheimer said. Georgia's Republican governor, Brian Kemp, said he was “appreciated” by President Biden's offer to “call him directly” if he needed “anything else.”
Bates then cited other Republican officials who have praised Biden, including the Republican governor of Virginia and Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham.
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Milton is expected to be the second powerful hurricane that Florida and other states are preparing for, following the devastating damage caused by Hurricane Helen.
FOX News' Paul Steinhauser contributed to this report.
