FEMA is facing investigations from both Congress and the state of Florida following allegations that disaster relief workers deliberately skipped homes displaying Trump signs in the wake of Hurricane Milton.
FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell is scheduled to testify before Congress next Tuesday, where she will address the reported bias. She called the incident a “clear violation of FEMA’s core values,” adding that the supervisor responsible has already been dismissed.
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Governor Ron DeSantis announced his own investigation, describing the situation as “the weaponization of government by political activists.” FEMA, however, insists this was an isolated incident, though critics fear it could indicate a larger issue within the agency.
“This isn’t the first time we’ve seen federal agencies act politically,” noted Florida Rep. Cory Mills, referencing past IRS audits targeting conservative organizations and other perceived instances of federal bias.
Hurricane Milton left more than 20 people dead and caused widespread damage across Florida, leaving many without homes or power.
Congressman Greg Steube, whose district was directly impacted by the storm, expressed outrage over the alleged selective aid practices. “If this was politically motivated, then everyone in the chain of command should be held accountable,” Steube said, adding that he sits on the committee investigating potential federal government weaponization.
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According to reports, text messages from a source in Washington, D.C., allegedly instructed FEMA field supervisors to bypass homes with Trump signs. Congressman Steube and others on the oversight committee plan to subpoena the fired supervisor and demand answers on whether these orders originated from higher up within FEMA.
“This type of disaster aid should always be bipartisan,” Steube emphasized. “We need to ensure this hasn’t happened in other parts of Florida or in states affected by recent hurricanes.”
Governor DeSantis also weighed in on social media, condemning what he called “the blatant weaponization of federal bureaucracies.” He linked the incident to broader concerns over political bias in the Biden administration.
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With President-elect Trump set to take office, Steube expressed hope that a new administration would fully investigate the issue. “Once Trump is back in office, we’ll get to the bottom of this and hold everyone accountable,” he said.
As Congress prepares for hearings, lawmakers are poised to explore the reach and impact of the alleged bias within FEMA.
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