House Republicans are urging an immediate inquiry by the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Inspector General into the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) over reports of anti-Trump discrimination. According to reports, FEMA relief workers ignored the homes of Trump supporters in Florida and North Carolina.
Representative Sam Graves (R-MO), chairman of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, along with Representative Scott Perry (R-PA), addressed Inspector General Joseph Cuffari in a letter. They called for a thorough investigation into reports that fired FEMA supervisor Marn’i Washington instructed workers to bypass residences displaying Trump campaign signs in Lake Placid, Florida. Concerns were raised that these actions might indicate a broader pattern within the agency.
In addition, lawmakers cited reports suggesting FEMA employees in North Carolina deliberately avoided neighborhoods marked with signs such as “Make America Great Again” and “Drain the Swamp.” The allegations describe instructions to abandon entire areas without notifying residents of hurricane aid if three or more such signs were present.
The House Committee emphasized their growing worry that this avoidance could be more extensive than initially reported, potentially leaving victims unaware of available federal assistance. FEMA Director Deanne Criswell, testifying on Capitol Hill last month, maintained that the incident in Florida was isolated and asserted that FEMA does not engage in any policies leading to systematic avoidance. However, during her testimony, Criswell agreed to request an investigation into the matter. Subsequently, she confirmed to the House Oversight Committee that she had sought a review from the Inspector General’s office.
Marn’i Washington has said she is being made a scapegoat, and that FEMA teams across Florida and North Carolina undertook similar avoidance actions.
