DeSantis and Biden speak on storm recovery after reports GOP governor hadn’t returned calls from president, vice president

President Joe Biden and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis spoke on Monday night as recovery efforts continue in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. This conversation comes after reports surfaced that DeSantis had not returned calls from both Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris regarding the storm’s impact and ongoing recovery efforts.

Emilie Simons, a senior assistant White House press secretary, announced on X (formerly Twitter) that Biden had reached out to DeSantis and Tampa Mayor Jane Castor to receive updates on recovery initiatives and preparations for Hurricane Milton, which is expected to hit Florida later this week. Simons added that Biden encouraged both officials to contact him directly if they needed additional federal support.

A White House official informed CNN that Harris had attempted to contact DeSantis multiple times since Hurricane Helene struck Florida, but the governor had not responded to her calls. In a previous visit to Florida, Biden had invited DeSantis to accompany him on a tour of the damage; however, DeSantis opted instead to hold a press conference about four hours south of the affected areas.

“We invited the governor to come and survey the damage areas with the president,” White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said. “It was his decision not to attend.” Jean-Pierre clarified that the president had made efforts to reach out regarding Hurricane Helene, emphasizing that it was ultimately up to DeSantis whether to engage.

During a press briefing in Tallahassee, DeSantis claimed he was unaware of Harris’s attempts to reach him, stating, “I didn’t know she called me.” He expressed gratitude towards Biden for approving necessary resources thus far and noted his willingness to reach out for additional assistance if needed.

“We want to use whatever resources are available to help Floridians prepare and respond to this storm,” DeSantis said. “Everything we’ve asked for from President Biden, he has approved, and we do think we’ll get more approvals for some of the individual assistance and debris removal after landfall.”

In response to the reports regarding her calls, Harris asserted that leaders should prioritize the needs of their constituents during crises. “People are in desperate need of support right now,” she stated. “Playing political games at this moment is just utterly irresponsible and selfish.”

DeSantis later addressed Harris’s role in the recovery process during an appearance on Fox News, saying, “I’m in contact with the president of the United States. I’m in contact with the FEMA director. We’re managing all our state agencies.” He added that Harris’s involvement was unnecessary and that the state was effectively handling the situation without her input.

CNN has reached out to the White House, Harris’s campaign, and DeSantis’s office for further details about the communications between the parties. Reports of DeSantis not taking Harris’s calls were first noted by NBC News.

This is not the first instance where DeSantis has opted not to meet with Biden after a natural disaster. Following Hurricane Idalia in 2023, the governor also declined to join Biden when the president visited Florida.

FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell has been in touch with DeSantis to discuss preparations for Hurricane Milton. Jean-Pierre confirmed that Criswell spoke with the governor to ensure the state was prepared for the incoming storm.

“Our commitment is to support the communities with whatever they need and whenever,” Jean-Pierre stated earlier. She reiterated the federal government’s focus on disaster recovery, regardless of DeSantis’s communication choices.

On Monday, Harris also urged Florida residents in the path of Hurricane Milton to heed local evacuation orders. “I cannot stress enough to all the folks in Florida, please listen to your local officials,” she cautioned. “This hurricane is going to be very serious.”

As the storm approaches, the focus remains on ensuring that residents receive the assistance they need while navigating the complexities of political communication in times of crisis. The federal government, led by Biden and Harris, has pledged a robust response to support Florida’s recovery efforts, emphasizing the importance of collaboration and effective communication during emergencies.