Alabama Senator Katie Britt praised the Trump administration for firing three more FEMA employees after it conducted an investigation into a supervisor&#8217;s directive for relief workers to skip homes with Trump flags or signs.
Britt made the comments in response to a <a href="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/03/Chair-Britt22.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">letter</a> she received from Acting FEMA Director Cameron Hamilton telling her that he had fired three employees who had a supervisory role over Marn&#8217;i Washington, the woman who told federal relief workers in Lake Placid, Florida, to &#8220;avoid homes advertising Trump.&#8221; Hamilton wrote in response to a <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/exclusive-senator-demands-mayorkas-answer-over-fema-employee-guidance-to-skip-trump-homes" target="_blank" rel="noopener">letter Britt sent</a> on November 9, one day after The Daily Wire <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/exclusive-fema-official-ordered-relief-workers-to-skip-houses-with-trump-signs" target="_blank" rel="noopener">first reported</a> on the guidance, demanding answers from then-Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas.
“I am sincerely grateful for FEMA’s efforts along with President Trump and [Homeland Secretary Secretary Kristi] Noem to ensure every American in need of critical aid, regardless of political affiliation, receives impartial assistance,&#8221; Britt, the chair of the subcommittee that appropriates money for Homeland Security, told The Daily Wire.
&#8220;I also appreciate FEMA taking necessary action to fire these individuals complicit in bypassing homes and conditioning aid as well as to provide additional training for the agency’s employees,&#8221; she added. &#8220;As I wrote in my letter to FEMA last November, the American people must have assurances this outrageous behavior never happens again.”
Hamilton&#8217;s letter to Britt closely mirrored a letter that was sent to Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) and the House Oversight Committee. He noted that the guidance, which led to around 20 homes being skipped, was investigated internally by the Office of Inspector General, the Office of the Special Counsel, and FEMA’s Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR).
“The OPR investigation found no evidence that this was a systemic problem, nor that it was directed by agency or field leadership,” he added. “However, it did determine that those in the immediate supervisor chain of the single staff member who engaged in this conduct should have had more direct control of their subordinates’ behavior. Thus, they failed to meet my expectations of leaders in this organization and have been terminated.”
“This action has been taken both because of their failure to meet our standards of conduct and because it is essential that the entire workforce understand that this incident was reprehensible, and this type of behavior will not be tolerated at FEMA,&#8221; he added, saying that FEMA employees were given additional training to make sure they knew that politics were not an acceptable consideration during disaster relief operations.
Britt&#8217;s initial letter to Mayorkas demanded answers on why the direction was given and that he make assurances that it would not happen again.

Senate Judiciary Cmte Holds Confirmation Hearing For FBI Director Nominee Patel

EXCLUSIVE: GOP Senator Praises FEMA For Firing Employees Over Directive To Skip Trump Homes

Alabama

Alejandro Mayorkas

Department of Homeland Security

FEMA

Hurricane Milton

Kristi Noem

Trump Administration

Three more FEMA employees have been fired as part of the agency’s investigation into guidance from a supervisor last year for relief workers in Florida to “avoid homes advertising Trump.” 
FEMA Acting Director Cameron Hamilton sent a letter on Tuesday to Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), informing her of the firings and announcing the conclusion of the agency’s internal investigation. Hamilton said that the three fired employees were in the supervisory chain of FEMA supervisor Marn’i Washington, who was <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/breaking-fema-fires-official-who-told-hurricane-relief-workers-to-skip-trump-homes" target="_blank" rel="noopener">fired</a> on November 9 after The Daily Wire reported that she instructed relief workers in Lake Placid, Florida, to skip homes with Trump flags or signs after Hurricane Milton. 
“As you know, FEMA terminated that crew lead’s employment with the agency on November 9. Since then, in cooperation with the Office of Inspector General and the Office of the Special Counsel, FEMA’s Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR) — which reports directly to me — conducted an exhaustive investigation of this incident to determine the full extent of any further inappropriate behavior or misconduct,” Hamilton wrote, according to a copy of the letter shared with The Daily Wire. “That investigation has now concluded, and upon my review of all related materials, three additional individuals have been terminated.” 
The firings were first <a href="https://nypost.com/2025/03/06/us-news/fema-fired-three-supervisors-following-probe-into-crew-told-to-avoid-trump-supporting-homes-hit-by-hurricane-milton/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">reported</a> on by the New York Post. 
In the letter, Hamilton said that the three employees had not met the agency’s standards of conduct and that he wanted to send a message that political bias in disaster relief was not acceptable. 
“This action has been taken both because of their failure to meet our standards of conduct and because it is essential that the entire workforce understand that this incident was reprehensible, and this type of behavior will not be tolerated at FEMA,” he wrote. 
“The OPR investigation found no evidence that this was a systemic problem, nor that it was directed by agency or field leadership,” he added. “However, it did determine that those in the immediate supervisor chain of the single staff member who engaged in this conduct should have had more direct control of their subordinates’ behavior. Thus, they failed to meet my expectations of leaders in this organization and have been terminated.” 
Washington had claimed that there was a mass pattern of &#8220;avoidance&#8221; by FEMA workers throughout the South for political reasons. The Office of Special Counsel filed a complaint last month against her recommending that she face further disciplinary action.
Washington&#8217;s direct supervisor was an employee named Chad Hershey, according to an organizational flow chart previously obtained by The Daily Wire. He did not respond to request for comment.
The House Committee on Homeland Security previously <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/exclusive-homeland-security-to-interview-second-fema-employee-about-trump-guidance" target="_blank" rel="noopener">requested</a> an interview with Hershey as part of its investigation into the incident. When first contacted by The Daily Wire back in November, Hershey said that he was “aware” of the situation with the Trump guidance, and that it was being looked into. 
“We are aware of it and we are taking proper action in this situation currently,” Hershey said, adding that “we are taking action at this moment regarding the situation that you’re talking about.” 
At least 20 homes in Lake Placid were skipped due to the guidance. Those homes were visited the day after news of the guidance broke, according to previous FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell. Hamilton told Blackburn that he ordered employees to undergo additional training to “reinforce that political affiliation should never be a consideration in the rendering of assistance.”

Michigan Holds Its Primary Election

3 More FEMA Employees Fired After Probe Into Order To Skip Trump Homes

Donald Trump

Florida

Marsha Blackburn

Fired FEMA supervisor Marn&#8217;i Washington lied about her instructions in Florida for relief workers to “avoid homes advertising Trump,” according to a complaint filed by the Office of Special Counsel. 
The Office of Special Council filed a complaint against Washington on Tuesday, recommending that she face further disciplinary action over her guidance to skip the homes of Trump supporters in Lake Placid, Florida. The OSC found that the instructions, which were <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/exclusive-fema-official-ordered-relief-workers-to-skip-houses-with-trump-signs" target="_blank" rel="noopener">first reported</a> on by The Daily Wire, were not based on any credible threats reported against FEMA workers as Washington claimed. 
“Washington’s instruction on October 22 to avoid homes with Trump 2024 campaign signage was not based upon any reported safety concerns from Crew 33 because, at that time, Crew 33 had not yet begun canvassing,” the OSC said in its complaint, filed to the U.S. Merit Systems Protection Board. 
As a result of Washington’s guidance, workers skipped over 20 homes while responding to Hurricane Milton&#8217;s damage in Lake Placid. 
Washington faces two counts of violating the Hatch Act, including one count of engaging in political activity while on duty and one count of using one’s official authority or influence for the purpose of interfering with or affecting the result of an election. 
The special counsel&#8217;s findings undermine Washington’s <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/fired-fema-employee-speaks-out-says-it-was-not-isolated-incident-colossal-event-of-avoidance" target="_blank" rel="noopener">claim</a> that she issued the instructions because of threats from Trump supporters to FEMA workers. 
“There were no reports in Highlands County of safety concerns at properties with Trump 2024 campaign signs,” OSC attorney Eric Johnson wrote in the complaint. “No member of Crew 33 made a written report of any safety concerns at a property with Trump 2024 campaign signage.”
Additionally, Johnson said that none of Washington’s daily reports to FEMA noted any concerns about properties with Trump flags or signs. 
The complaint sheds light on other aspects of the incident, confirming that the guidance was repeated multiple times from October 22 until October 26. Five different relief workers noted that they were unable to stop by a home due to a Trump sign from October 22-27.
Crew members reported the instructions as early as October 24, but FEMA did not contact Washington until October 29, according to the complaint. Johnson said that Washington “denied” issuing the guidance, saying that they only skipped properties that had signs saying people would shoot on sight. 
“My team has registered Trump supporters however, we’ve avoided the Trump supporters that have signage stating they’ll shoot us onsite [sic],” she wrote in an email, according to the complaint. 
Washington was demobilized around November 7 and fired on November 9, one day after The Daily Wire broke the story featuring whistleblower testimony.

FEMA Headquarters in Washington

FEMA Supervisor Lied About Threats To Get Workers To Skip Trump Homes, Special Counsel Finds

Discrimination

President Donald Trump called out the <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/fema" target="_blank" rel="noopener">FEMA</a> supervisor who ordered relief workers to skip the homes of his supporters in a Friday executive order launching a robust investigation of the agency. 
The <a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/01/council-to-assess-the-federal-emergency-management-agency/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">executive order</a> discussed the scandal in Florida, <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/exclusive-fema-official-ordered-relief-workers-to-skip-houses-with-trump-signs" target="_blank" rel="noopener">first reported</a> by The Daily Wire, where FEMA supervisor Marn’i Washington told relief workers in Lake Placid to “avoid homes advertising Trump.” Trump said in the order that the incident was one of the reasons the agency was in serious need of reform, and why he was ordering the creation of a council to investigate its performance.
“There are serious concerns of political bias in FEMA,” Trump wrote in the executive order. “Indeed, at least one former FEMA responder has stated that FEMA managers directed her to avoid homes of individuals supporting the campaign of Donald J. Trump for President.”
Whistleblowers told The Daily Wire that at least 20 homes impacted by Hurricane Milton were skipped due to Washington’s instructions, which were given both verbally and in a group chat. Washington was fired by then-FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell following the report.
In subsequent interviews, Washington claimed that her instructions were approved by her superiors, saying that the agency had a policy in place to skip “politically hostile” homes. There are still ongoing investigations into the incident from Congress and the Department of Homeland Security. 
Trump has frequently criticized FEMA in recent months, saying that the agency has lost focus and mistreated hurricane victims because of their politically conservative views. His Friday executive order said that the agency has been “diverting limited staff and resources to support missions beyond its scope and authority, spending well over a billion dollars to welcome illegal aliens.”
The order will create a 20-person council, including the Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, to conduct a full review of FEMA’s activities. 
Trump said the council will assess “the existing ability of FEMA to capably and impartially address disasters occurring within the United States and shall advise the President on all recommended changes related to FEMA to best serve the national interest.”
The executive order stipulates that the council develop proposals to improve FEMA, survey states and other stakeholders impacted by natural disasters, and produce a comprehensive report on the agency and how disaster relief was handled before its creation. 
“Americans deserve an immediate, effective, and impartial response to and recovery from disasters,” the executive order said. “FEMA therefore requires a full-scale review, by individuals highly experienced at effective disaster response and recovery, who shall recommend to the President improvements or structural changes to promote the national interest and enable national resilience.”

President Trump Departs The White House On Marine One

Trump’s FEMA Executive Order Takes Aim At Supervisor Who Told Workers To Skip His Supporters

Department of Defense

President <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/donald-trump" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Donald Trump</a> spoke out on Friday about a <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/fema" target="_blank" rel="noopener">FEMA</a> scandal where relief workers skipped homes because of Trump signs or flags.
Trump decried the incident, which was first reported by The Daily Wire, as he spoke to hurricane victims in North Carolina. Trump has <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/trump-promises-overhaul-of-fema-floats-getting-rid-of-agency?topStoryPosition=1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">proposed drastic</a> changes to FEMA and suggested that he may sign an executive order to get rid of the agency altogether.
“A whistleblower testified that some FEMA employees refused to help people who display Trump signs on their property. I think that&#8217;s true, isn&#8217;t it? I read that. That&#8217;s not nice, that&#8217;s not too nice, is it? But whoever those property people were, thank you very much,” Trump said.
In November, The Daily Wire <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/exclusive-fema-official-ordered-relief-workers-to-skip-houses-with-trump-signs" target="_blank" rel="noopener">broke a story</a> that FEMA supervisor Marn’i Washington had ordered relief workers in Lake Placid to “avoid homes advertising Trump.” These instructions were given in person and verbally, whistleblowers told The Daily Wire. At least 20 homes were skipped due to the orders.
A day after the story broke, Washington was fired and FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell maintained it was an isolated incident and FEMA workers visited the homes that were skipped.
The incident is still under investigation by multiple entities and Florida has sued FEMA and Washington, alleging a conspiracy to discriminate against Trump supporters.
Other whistleblowers have come forward alleging similar misconduct in Georgia and North Carolina.
One whistleblower <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/republicans-ask-for-probe-into-allegations-fema-skipped-entire-neighborhoods-with-trump-signs" target="_blank" rel="noopener">told</a> the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure that entire neighborhoods were skipped if they found three or more signs that said things like “Make America Great Again,” “Drain the Swamp,” “Don’t Tread on Me,” or a Trump campaign sign.
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The inspector general for the Department of Homeland Security <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/dhs-inspector-general-confirms-fema-probe-says-aid-should-not-be-politically-based" target="_blank" rel="noopener">has initiated</a> an investigation into the multiple allegations of FEMA misconduct, including in North Carolina and Florida.
Later during his visit to North Carolina, Trump said that he was likely going to revamp FEMA and give more responsibility for disaster relief to the states.
“We’re looking at the whole concept of FEMA,” he <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/politics/fema-not-good-trump-announces-agency-overhaul-during-visit-north-carolina" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said</a>. “FEMA has really let us down. Let the country down.”
“We’re going to fix it, and we’re going to fix it as fast as you can,” he added. “It’s a massive amount of damage. FEMA has really let us down. Let the country down. And I don’t know if that’s Biden’s fault or whose fault it is, but we’re going to take over. We’re going to do a good job.”
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US-POLITICS-TRUMP

‘Not Nice’: Trump Speaks Out About FEMA Denying Aid To His Supporters

Executive

Hurricane Helene

Natural Disaster

North Carolina

U.S.

Embattled FEMA Director Deanne Criswell left the agency on Monday just as the second administration of President Donald Trump began. 
Criswell, who has faced criticism over her handling of the agency&#8217;s response to recent hurricanes, left her position as administrator at 12:01 p.m. and was replaced by Tony Robinson, who will be the acting FEMA director until Trump chooses a replacement. During her time in office, Criswell oversaw the government&#8217;s response to multiple devastating hurricanes, the Maui fires, and most recently, the deadly Los Angeles County fires. 
“It has been an honor serving as [FEMA] Administrator for nearly four years. The FEMA family takes immense pride in our mission of helping people before, during and after disasters. I know the agency will continue to serve the nation as we support this peaceful transition of power,” Criswell <a href="https://x.com/FEMA_Deanne/status/1881351768103129377" target="_blank" rel="noopener">posted</a> on X, though her account has now been taken over by Robinson. 
Criswell came under fire in November after The Daily Wire reported that a FEMA supervisor in Florida ordered relief workers responding to Hurricane Milton to “avoid homes advertising Trump.” The guidance led to some 20 homes in Lake Placid being skipped because they had a Trump flag or sign. 
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Criswell spent <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/heres-what-we-learned-from-fema-chiefs-day-of-congressional-grilling" target="_blank" rel="noopener">over five hours</a> on November 19 being questioned by House lawmakers about the guidance. She maintained that the guidance was an isolated incident.
“I do not believe that this employee’s actions are indicative of any widespread cultural problems at FEMA,” she said at the time. “FEMA however has taken appropriate action to ensure this matter is fully investigated and I am committed to ensuring that nothing like this ever happens again.” 
There are still multiple investigations ongoing, including from the inspector general, into the guidance and the state of Florida has sued FEMA over the instructions 
Trump has been a critic of FEMA’s response to both Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton, stating during his inaugural address that the agency had treated North Carolina poorly. 
Last week, North Carolina’s Republican senators had to intervene after they said that dozens of hurricane victims were kicked out of the hotels they were staying in on Tuesday as their <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/fema">FEMA</a>-sponsored vouchers expired. One whistleblower told Republicans on the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure that FEMA had skipped <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/dhs-inspector-general-confirms-fema-probe-says-aid-should-not-be-politically-based" target="_blank" rel="noopener">entire neighborhoods</a> in North Carolina if there were three or more Trump or other conservative signs in yards.

House Oversight Committee Hears Testimony From FEMA Administrator Criswell

Embattled FEMA Director Steps Aside As Trump Takes Office

Biden Administration

Homeland Security Inspector General Joseph Cuffari confirmed Monday that his office was investigating FEMA over concerns that disaster relief was withheld from Trump supporters, according to a letter shared with The Daily Wire. 
Cuffari confirmed the investigation in a <a href="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/01/2025-01-06-FEMA-TRUMP_Signs_OIG_Response.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">letter</a> to House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Chair Sam Graves (R-MO) and Rep. Scott Perry (R-PA), who <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/republicans-ask-for-probe-into-allegations-fema-skipped-entire-neighborhoods-with-trump-signs" target="_blank" rel="noopener">requested</a> on December 3 a probe into whether FEMA supervisor Marn’i Washington’s instructions to “avoid homes advertising Trump” in Lake Placid, Florida, may have been part of a broader agency policy. Washington was fired after The Daily Wire first reported that at least 20 homes were skipped to her directive. 
“I share your sentiments that any disaster funding provided by Congress must be made available to all affected and that it cannot be conditioned or delayed based on political views,” Cuffari wrote on Monday. 
“On December 17, 2024, my office initiated an audit of FEMA’s Assessment of Community Trends,” he added. “The objective is to determine how well FEMA followed its policies and procedures when addressing safety concerns and determining community trends that impact disaster survivor assistance in response to Hurricanes Helene and Milton.”
Washington claimed that her directive to skip Trump homes was based on FEMA&#8217;s &#8220;community trends&#8221; policies.
In their December 3 letter, Graves and Perry wrote that they were aware of reports out of North Carolina “of FEMA employees skipping any home that displayed a ‘Make America Great Again,’ ‘Drain the Swamp,’ ‘Don’t Tread on Me’ or Trump campaign sign. If the FEMA field team encountered three or more of these signs, the field team could abandon the entire neighborhood without notifying hurricane victims of assistance available to them.”
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Cuffari said that he was thankful for the information provided by the Republican lawmakers and that he would be happy to schedule a briefing with them on the findings. 
“We greatly appreciate the information you provided, as it aided our decision-making process. I will be glad to share the results of this audit, future reports on this topic, or any of our numerous projects, with you if you would like to schedule a briefing with me,” he wrote. 
FEMA administrator Deanne Criswell said that the incident in Lake Placid was “isolated,” and confirmed last month that there are multiple ongoing federal investigations into potential discrimination by the agency.

DHS Inspector General Confirms FEMA Probe, Says Aid Should Not Be Politically Based

The House Oversight Committee on Monday highlighted whistleblower complaints that <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/fema" target="_blank" rel="noopener">FEMA</a> discriminated against Trump supporters when responding to devastating hurricanes earlier this year. 
As the 118th Congress comes to a close, the Oversight Committee listed its “TOP OVERSIGHT HEARING MOMENTS” of the last two years on X, pointing to a story <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/exclusive-fema-official-ordered-relief-workers-to-skip-houses-with-trump-signs" target="_blank" rel="noopener">first broken</a> by The Daily Wire in November that detailed that a FEMA supervisor in Florida had ordered relief workers to skip homes that showed support for Trump. The Oversight Committee noted that a whistleblower told Oversight Chair James Comer (R-KY) that similar misconduct had occurred in Georgia. 
“In October 2024, [The Daily Wire] exposed that a FEMA employee directed workers to bypass pro-Trump homes. During a hearing on that topic, Chairman James Comer (<a href="https://x.com/RepJamesComer">@RepJamesComer</a>) revealed a brand-new whistleblower in a different state, which blew apart the FEMA Administrator’s claim that it was an isolated incident,” the committee posted on X.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
In October 2024, <a href="https://twitter.com/dailywire?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@DailyWire</a> exposed that a FEMA employee directed workers to bypass pro-Trump homes. During a hearing on that topic, Chairman James Comer (<a href="https://twitter.com/RepJamesComer?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RepJamesComer</a>) revealed a brand-new whistleblower in a different state, which blew apart the FEMA Administrator’s claim that…
— Oversight Committee (@GOPoversight) <a href="https://twitter.com/GOPoversight/status/1873773803248959620?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 30, 2024</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
The committee was referring to an exclusive report published by The Daily Wire on November 8 that FEMA supervisor Marn&#8217;i Washington ordered relief workers in Lake Placid to “avoid homes advertising Trump.” 
The guidance led to FEMA workers skipping some 20 homes impacted by Hurricane Milton. FEMA responded by firing Washington and sending workers back to the area to ensure that Lake Placid residents were given an opportunity to qualify for hurricane aid. 
FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/exclusive-fema-chief-confirms-multiple-ongoing-federal-investigations-into-trump-instructions" target="_blank" rel="noopener">confirmed</a> earlier this month that there were multiple federal investigations ongoing into potential political discrimination. The investigations were being conducted by FEMA’s Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR), the U.S. Office of Special Counsel, and the Department of Homeland Security’s Inspector General. 
Last month, as Criswell was questioned about the guidance from Washington, Comer <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/whistleblower-alleges-fema-advised-georgia-hurricane-victims-to-remove-trump-signs-comer-says" target="_blank" rel="noopener">revealed</a> that a whistleblower told his office that a FEMA supervisor told a family in Georgia to remove their Trump signs from their yards because it was not “looked kindly” on by the agency. 
“My staff made contact with a new whistleblower who provided a credible account that a FEMA contractor visited the home of an elderly disabled veteran’s family around October 10 following Hurricane Helene,” Comer said. “While there he recommended that they remove Trump campaign materials and signs from both their house and yard. He warned the family that his FEMA supervisor does not take kindly to Trump supporters and that they are seen as domestic terrorists.” 
Criswell responded to Comer’s remarks by saying that she had not heard the allegations before and asked the committee to provide her with more information on the matter. 
Whistleblowers <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/republicans-ask-for-probe-into-allegations-fema-skipped-entire-neighborhoods-with-trump-signs" target="_blank" rel="noopener">later told</a> the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure that “entire” neighborhoods were skipped in North Carolina if workers found “Make America Great Again,” “Drain the Swamp,’ or “Don’t Tread on Me” signs in the yards of hurricane victims.

Oversight Committee Highlights FEMA’s Avoidance Of Trump Supporters As Investigations Continue

House Oversight Committee

James Comer

As we prepare to enter the new year, we’re taking you back to some of The Daily Wire’s best reporting from 2024. <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/exclusive-fema-official-ordered-relief-workers-to-skip-houses-with-trump-signs" target="_blank" rel="noopener">This article</a> was originally published on November 8. 
A federal disaster relief official ordered workers to bypass the homes of Donald Trump’s supporters as they surveyed damage caused by Hurricane Milton in Florida, according to internal correspondence obtained by The Daily Wire and confirmed by multiple federal employees.
A FEMA supervisor told workers in a message to “avoid homes advertising Trump” as they canvassed Lake Placid, Florida, to identify residents who could qualify for federal aid, internal messages viewed by The Daily Wire reveal. The supervisor, Marn’i Washington, relayed this message both verbally and in a group chat used by the relief team, multiple government employees told The Daily Wire.
The government employees told The Daily Wire that at least 20 homes with Trump signs or flags were skipped from the end of October and into November due to the guidance, meaning they were not given the opportunity to qualify for FEMA assistance. Images shared with The Daily Wire show that houses were skipped over by the workers, who wrote in the government system messages such as: “Trump sign no entry per leadership.”
It is unclear whether the same guidance was issued elsewhere in the country. The employees were part of a Department of Homeland Security surge capacity force team, meaning they volunteered from other DHS agencies to help an understaffed FEMA as it dealt with a second major hurricane in a span of just a few weeks.
<div id="attachment_826343" style="width: 1034px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-826343" class="wp-image-826343 size-large" src="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2024/11/fema-avoid-trump-1-1024x576.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="576" srcset="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2024/11/fema-avoid-trump-1-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2024/11/fema-avoid-trump-1-300x169.jpg 300w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2024/11/fema-avoid-trump-1-768x432.jpg 768w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2024/11/fema-avoid-trump-1-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2024/11/fema-avoid-trump-1.jpg 1920w" sizes=" (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" />Microsoft Teams chat used by FEMA workers. / The Daily Wire</div>
“I know they’re short-staffed, I thought we could go help and make a difference,” one of the employees said. “When we got there we were told to discriminate against people. It’s almost unbelievable to think that somebody in the federal government would think that’s okay.”
The employee said it felt wrong to discriminate against Trump supporters when they were at their “most vulnerable.”
“I volunteered to help disaster victims, not discriminate against them,” the employee said. “It didn’t matter if people were black, white, Hispanic, for Trump, for Harris. Everyone deserves the same amount of help.”
The guidance came as the Biden administration was criticized over its sluggish response to Hurricane Helene in rural areas across the country. In Roan Mountain, Tennessee, for example, locals <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/how-a-small-tennessee-town-survived-helene-after-the-emergency-response-floundered">told</a> The Daily Wire it took nearly two weeks for FEMA to show up. The town is located in Carter County, which <a href="https://www.politico.com/2024-election/results/tennessee/">voted 81%</a> for Trump.
The FEMA agents ordered not to help houses with Trump signs were operating in Highlands County, a deep-red area located in south central Florida that backed Trump by 70%. It was hit with tornadoes, torrential wind and rain, and flooding when Milton hit in October.
In the chat, Washington said that it would be “best practice” to “avoid homes advertising Trump,” according to photos of the messages viewed by The Daily Wire. No explanation was given for this guidance, which included other recommendations like telling the workers to “practice de-escalation and preventative measures,” and to “avoid high salt diets and coffee.”
Photos from the system used by federal relief workers to track what homes they visit showed that relief workers followed Washington’s guidance. Several addresses were marked “not able to access property” with listed explanations such as: “Trump sign no entry per leadership,” “Per leadership no stop Trump flag,” “Trump sign,” and “Trump sign, no contact per leadership.”
<div id="attachment_826363" style="width: 1034px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-826363" class="wp-image-826363 size-large" src="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2024/11/MixCollage-08-Nov-2024-03-17-PM-8891-1024x512.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="512" srcset="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2024/11/MixCollage-08-Nov-2024-03-17-PM-8891-1024x512.jpg 1024w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2024/11/MixCollage-08-Nov-2024-03-17-PM-8891-300x150.jpg 300w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2024/11/MixCollage-08-Nov-2024-03-17-PM-8891-768x384.jpg 768w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2024/11/MixCollage-08-Nov-2024-03-17-PM-8891-1536x768.jpg 1536w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2024/11/MixCollage-08-Nov-2024-03-17-PM-8891-2048x1024.jpg 2048w" sizes=" (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" />One of the homes skipped by FEMA/ FEMA app tracking what homes were visited.</div>
“If they had damage or lost power for over thirty-six hours, it was my duty to inform them of benefits to which they are entitled through FEMA,” one team member wrote in a complaint filed to DHS about the guidance.
Washington is the Disaster Survivor Assistance crew leader for Highland County, a leadership chart reviewed by The Daily Wire shows. She did not respond to multiple phone calls or an email seeking comment on the guidance.
Chad Hershey, Washington’s FEMA supervisor, told The Daily Wire that the agency is looking into the situation.
“We are aware of it and we are taking proper action in this situation currently,” Hershey said.
Pressed to confirm the messages, Hershey said: “We are aware of it and we are taking action at this moment regarding the situation that you’re talking about.”
Hershey added that FEMA would be providing a fuller statement though none was yet provided by press time. He said that officials in Washington, D.C., would be reaching out to The Daily Wire.
After publication of this story, a FEMA spokesperson told The Daily Wire it was “deeply disturbed” and “horrified” by the employee’s actions, and that it has “taken extreme actions to correct this situation.”
“While we believe this is an isolated incident, we have taken measures to remove the employee from their role and are investigating the matter to prevent this from happening ever again,” the spokesperson said in an emailed statement. “The employee who issued this guidance had no authority and was given no direction to tell teams to avoid these homes and we are reaching out to the people who may have not been reached as a result of this incident.”
“This is a matter that we take extremely seriously and we are doing everything we can to make sure all survivors receive support from FEMA. To date, we have helped over 365,000 households impacted by both Hurricanes Helene and Milton in the state of Florida and have provided over $898 million in direct assistance to survivors.”
“We are horrified that this took place and therefore have taken extreme actions to correct this situation and have ensured that the matter was addressed at all levels. Helping people is what we do best and our workforce across the agency will continue to serve survivors for as long as it takes.”
In addition to the statement, a FEMA spokesman clarified that Washington is not actively working for the agency, pending an investigation.
The guidance was first issued by Washington verbally on October 22, and again in the group chat on October 27, according to one of the federal employees. The Trump-related instructions were deleted from the chat a few days later, photos of the chat reviewed by The Daily Wire show.
By October 30, Washington had started walking back the instructions about skipping Trump supporters’ homes, one of the federal employees told The Daily Wire. The relief workers said Washington denied that homes were being skipped after a meeting with other FEMA administrators.
The employees say that Washington has not been punished for the guidance, but has been shifted to another county in Florida.
The whistleblower complaint says that the Trump guidance further undermines trust in FEMA and its response to the hurricanes.
“This behavior raises significant concerns of discrimination against United States citizens because of their political views,” a copy of the complaint obtained by The Daily Wire said. “These actions not only undermine the integrity of our agency and create a hostile work environment for those who may hold differing political beliefs but they also threaten the very democracy of our country.”

MixCollage-08-Nov-2024-03-07-PM-8035

FEMA Official Ordered Relief Workers To Skip Houses With Trump Signs

EXCLUSIVE: FEMA Official Ordered Relief Workers To Skip Houses With Trump Signs

Trump Supporters

FEMA Director <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/heres-what-we-learned-from-fema-chiefs-day-of-congressional-grilling" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Deanne Criswell</a> confirmed that there were multiple ongoing federal investigations into <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/exclusive-fema-official-ordered-relief-workers-to-skip-houses-with-trump-signs" target="_blank" rel="noopener">instructions</a> from a relief worker to skip homes with Trump signs, according to a letter to Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) first shared with The Daily Wire. 
Criswell <a href="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2024/12/Senator-Blackburn-Response.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">wrote</a> to Blackburn on Tuesday confirming that Department of Homeland Security Inspector General Joseph Cuffari and the U.S. Office of Special Council were actively investigating FEMA supervisor Marn’i Washington’s written and verbal commands for workers in Lake Placid, Florida to “avoid homes advertising Trump.” The guidance led to workers skipping at least 20 homes in the small community.
Criswell referred to the instructions as “unacceptable” and a “clear violation” of FEMA’s values. 
“This employee’s conduct was reprehensible, and this type of behavior and action will not be tolerated at FEMA,” she wrote. “The work we do at FEMA is not, has never been, and should never be partisan — emergencies and disasters don’t respect geographic or political boundaries.”
The letter came after Blackburn <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/exclusive-blackburn-says-fema-trump-guidance-confirms-worst-fears-about-government" target="_blank" rel="noopener">urged FEMA</a> last month to comply with any investigation into potential discrimination over hurricane relief. 
Criswell said that the FEMA’s Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR), the U.S. Office of Special Council, and Cuffari were currently investigating aspects of the incident. 
According to Criswell, OPR began an internal investigation the same day it learned of a complaint about the instructions and referred the matter to the Office of Special Counsel. This investigation was stopped on November 15 at the request of the Inspector General, who later said it could continue on December 3. 
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A whistleblower complaint was first filed on October 26, yet Washington faced no disciplinary action until November 8, the day The Daily Wire first reported on the anti-Trump guidance. 
“On November 19 I personally requested Inspector General Cuffari ‘to conduct an independent inquiry to include all Helene and Milton disasters,’” Criswell told Blackburn. That was the <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/whos-lying-top-republican-not-satisfied-with-fema-answers-on-trump-home-scandal" target="_blank" rel="noopener">same day</a> that she testified before congressional lawmakers and was pressed about the status of an Inspector General investigation. 
Criswell told Blackburn that the Inspector General would be “reviewing some aspect of this matter’ through its Office of Audit and noted that the Office of Special Council investigation was ongoing. 
The FEMA chief also promised to cooperate with <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/tennessee-to-investigate-fema-after-guidance-to-skip-trump-homes" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Tennessee’s investigation</a> into &#8220;potential discrimination against Tennesseans,&#8221; as Blackburn requested. 
Other whistleblowers have since come forward to Republican lawmakers alleging similar discrimination by FEMA workers against Trump supporters in Georgia and North Carolina.

Senate Appropriations Committee Holds Hearing On Disaster Funding Needs

EXCLUSIVE: FEMA Chief Confirms Multiple ‘Ongoing’ Federal Investigations Into Trump Instructions

Tennessee

America First Legal on Wednesday launched an investigation into <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/fema" target="_blank" rel="noopener">FEMA</a> over guidance from an employee for relief workers in Florida to “avoid homes advertising Trump,” according to letters first shared with The Daily Wire. 
The conservative legal firm <a href="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2024/12/FEMA-FOIA.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">filed</a> a Freedom of Information request demanding FEMA turn over records and communications involving fired FEMA supervisor Marn’i Washington, who instructed workers responding in Lake Placid, Florida to pass over homes with Trump flags or signs. America First Legal, <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/exclusive-fema-official-ordered-relief-workers-to-skip-houses-with-trump-signs" target="_blank" rel="noopener">citing reporting</a> from The Daily Wire, also requested that Department of Homeland Security Inspector General Joseph Cuffari open up a full investigation into the allegations of relief aid being withheld for political reasons. 
“For four years, the Deep State has waged war on Americans’ freedom of speech. This latest example may be one of the most cruel, abusive, and egregious yet—denying homeowners desperately needed hurricane relief assistance because of who they supported politically,&#8221; America First Lawyer Will Scolinos told The Daily Wire. &#8220;AFL will work tirelessly for accountability and to safeguard Americans’ constitutional rights.&#8221;
Since the news broke that workers bypassed at least 20 homes in Lake Placid because of their Trump signage, similar allegations have been made against FEMA officials in both Georgia and North Carolina. 
“Accordingly, we write to request that you investigate FEMA’s reported violations of the First Amendment by discriminating based on political affiliation and withholding of federal disaster aid following recent natural disasters,” AFL lawyer Scolinos <a href="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2024/12/DHS-OIG-FEMA-Letter.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">wrote</a> on Wednesday. “In particular, we request that you investigate FEMA employees directing personnel to ‘avoid homes advertising Trump.’”
Scolinos wrote that the actions taken by Washington and alleged similar actions in North Carolina and Georgia violate the First Amendment. 
“FEMA’s blanket refusal to provide aid to these homes, and even entire neighborhoods, based on the political speech in the yards of some but not all homes is not narrowly tailored to any compelling governmental interest,” he wrote. 
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Scolinos added that the actions of Washington and others who deprived people with Trump signs or flags constituted an illegal conspiracy to deprive Americans of aid based on their politics. 
“To ensure that federal disaster relief is being administered fairly in compliance with the law, AFL hereby requests that you exercise your statutory oversight authority and open an investigation to determine whether American citizens faced political discrimination or retaliation by FEMA in areas affected by Hurricanes Milton and Helene and elsewhere,” the letter added. “The dangers inherent in the undue politicization of FEMA’s disaster relief role should be evident.”
FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell has said the incident in Lake Placid was an isolated incident and said that she asked the inspector general to carry out an independent investigation. The inspector general&#8217;s office told The Daily Wire it cannot comment on any potential investigation.
In the FOIA request, AFL requested communications &#8220;sent to or received by, or mentioning&#8221; Washington, and all records that mention “Trump,” “Trump supporters,” “Trump signs,” or “isolated incident.” The Daily Wire has filed a similar request with FEMA over its handling of the situation.

EXCLUSIVE: America First Legal Takes Aim At FEMA Over ‘Egregious’ First Amendment Violations

First Amendment

The House Homeland Security Committee will interview the fired FEMA supervisor who ordered relief workers in Florida to skip homes with Trump flags or signs, a committee spokesman told The Daily Wire. 
The committee on Tuesday will interview Marn’i Washington, who was fired last month by FEMA after The Daily Wire <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/exclusive-fema-official-ordered-relief-workers-to-skip-houses-with-trump-signs" target="_blank" rel="noopener">reported</a> that she had ordered relief workers in Lake Placid to “avoid homes advertising Trump&#8221; as they canvassed after Hurricane Milton. Since the story broke, Washington has claimed that FEMA made her a scapegoat, and that it is agency policy to skip “politically hostile” homes. 
Homeland Security Committee Chair Mark Green (R-TN) <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/lawmakers-to-question-fired-fema-supervisor-over-guidance-to-skip-trump-supporters" target="_blank" rel="noopener">requested</a> Friday that Washington schedule a transcribed interview to discuss her accusations against FEMA and her guidance in Florida. 
“While FEMA may maintain that this was an isolated incident, you suggested in a recent interview that this practice of discrimination was widespread throughout FEMA, including in disaster response efforts in North Carolina,” Green wrote. &#8220;Government discrimination against American citizens based on a political sign or flag promoting a particular candidate is not only an outrageous abuse of power and a serious betrayal of the public trust, but a direct violation of the First Amendment.&#8221;
Whistleblowers told The Daily Wire that at least 20 homes were skipped in Lake Placid due to Washington’s guidance. FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell confirmed this number during congressional testimony and said that agency staff had visited the neglected homes to register survivors after the story broke. 
Criswell told lawmakers that the incident was isolated, contradicting Washington’s comments in media interviews and allegations from other whistleblowers. One whistleblower <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/whistleblower-alleges-fema-advised-georgia-hurricane-victims-to-remove-trump-signs-comer-says" target="_blank" rel="noopener">told</a> the House Oversight Committee that a FEMA supervisor in Georgia directed a family to remove Trump campaign signage from their home, saying it was not “looked kindly” on by the agency. 
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On Tuesday, lawmakers on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/republicans-ask-for-probe-into-allegations-fema-skipped-entire-neighborhoods-with-trump-signs" target="_blank" rel="noopener">revealed</a> in a letter to Homeland Security Inspector General Joseph Cuffari that they had heard whistleblower reports from North Carolina alleging whole neighborhoods had been skipped over if there were three or more Trump signs in them. 
“In North Carolina, the Committee is aware of reports of FEMA employees skipping any home that displayed a ‘Make America Great Again,’ ‘Drain the Swamp,’ ‘Don’t Tread on Me’ or Trump campaign sign. If the FEMA field team encountered three or more of these signs, the field team could abandon the entire neighborhood without notifying hurricane victims of assistance available to them,” Committee Chair Sam Graves and Rep. Scott Perry (R-PA) wrote. 
FEMA has yet to respond to any of the follow up allegations, but maintain that they are still investigating Washington’s guidance.

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