Republicans in the House of Representatives are calling for an investigation into allegations that FEMA discriminated against Trump supporters during hurricane relief efforts. Reports suggest workers deliberately avoided homes and neighborhoods displaying pro-Trump signs in Florida and North Carolina.
Rep. Sam Graves (R-MO) and Rep. Scott Perry (R-PA) addressed DHS Inspector General Joseph Cuffari in a letter, citing concerns over reports that FEMA supervisor Marn’i Washington directed workers in Florida to bypass homes with Trump campaign signs. They described this as potentially indicative of broader issues within the agency.
Further allegations claim FEMA employees in North Carolina similarly ignored neighborhoods where signs like “Make America Great Again” were prominently displayed. Reports suggest entire areas were skipped when three or more such signs were visible.
FEMA Director Deanne Criswell testified on Capitol Hill last month, stating that the Florida incident was an isolated occurrence. She confirmed she had requested a review by the Inspector General’s office to ensure no systemic bias exists within FEMA’s policies or operations.
Marn’i Washington, who was fired after the allegations surfaced, denied the accusations and alleged that similar avoidance practices were carried out by FEMA teams across both states. She argued she is being unfairly blamed for broader agency behavior.
House Republicans insist that the investigation must uncover whether political bias influenced FEMA’s response to natural disasters. They argue that disaster relief efforts should remain impartial and free of political considerations to ensure fairness for all Americans.
