Internal communications reveal that a federal disaster official told workers to skip homes displaying support for President-elect Donald J. Trump following the devastation of Hurricane Milton in Florida. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) supervisor Marn’i Washington reportedly communicated these instructions verbally and in team group chats.
As a result of Washington’s actions, about 20 homes in Lake Placid, Florida, were skipped from late October into November. This left residents unable to secure a federal aid assessment. Employees documented instances of bypassing properties with messages like “Trump sign no entry per leadership.”
The workers belonged to a Department of Homeland Security surge capacity team, enlisted to assist FEMA amid staffing shortages during two consecutive major hurricanes. Highlands County, where the bypassed homes are located, is known for its overwhelming support for Trump.
A FEMA spokesman described the actions as “deeply disturbing” and confirmed that the responsible employee had been removed from their role pending an investigation.
In the aftermath of Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton, FEMA has been deeply criticized for withholding and allegedly seizing aid meant for victims. For instance, tech billionaire Elon Musk says that FEMA prevented the distribution of Starlink terminals and other supplies in North Carolina.
FEMA also stated that it would not help some locals in the state because the agency felt disaster victims may threaten its employees. FEMA allegedly received reports from the National Guard that an “armed militia” was threatening relief workers.
The two hurricanes also highlighted the lack of money available to help disaster victims. However, FEMA did spend over a billion dollars on helping house illegal immigrants.