FEMA employee removed from role after telling relief team to skip houses with Trump signs after Florida hurricane

A Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) employee was removed from her role after advising a disaster relief team to avoid homes displaying signs supporting former President Donald Trump in the wake of Hurricane Milton. The incident, which occurred in Lake Placid, Florida, has sparked an investigation into potential political bias in the agency’s disaster relief efforts.

FEMA confirmed on Friday that the employee had been reassigned and was under investigation after internal communications revealed she instructed the relief team to “avoid homes advertising Trump.” The agency expressed its “deep disturbance” over the employee’s actions and emphasized that such behavior was completely inconsistent with FEMA’s mission to serve all communities impartially, regardless of political affiliation.

“We believe this is an isolated incident,” a FEMA spokesperson stated. “However, we have taken swift action to remove the employee from their role and are investigating the matter fully to ensure this does not happen again.” The spokesperson also noted that the employee had no authority to issue such guidance, and that FEMA had already taken steps to reach out to the households that were possibly overlooked due to the employee’s directive.

The Daily Wire first reported the incident, citing internal emails in which the FEMA worker, whose identity has not been released, advised the relief team to steer clear of homes with Trump-related signage. The relief team, which was conducting canvassing efforts in the wake of Hurricane Milton’s destruction, was expected to provide assistance to affected residents, but the employee’s request caused concern that some residents may not have received help based on their political views.

FEMA has launched an investigation to determine how many homes may have been missed by the team due to the controversial instruction. The agency has since deployed a new team to canvass the affected area, ensuring that those who may have been inadvertently skipped are contacted and provided the support they need.

The spokesperson declined to comment further on the specifics of the incident or how FEMA first became aware of the situation, citing the ongoing investigation. However, they reiterated that FEMA officials were “horrified” by the employee’s actions and had acted swiftly to address the issue. The agency also stressed that it is committed to serving all disaster survivors, regardless of their political views or affiliations.

In response to the news, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis expressed strong disapproval, calling for a state-level investigation into the incident. DeSantis, a Republican, accused the federal bureaucracy of politicizing disaster relief efforts, claiming the situation was an example of “the blatant weaponization of government by partisan activists.”

“Under my direction, the Division of Emergency Management is launching an investigation into the federal government’s targeted discrimination against Floridians who support Donald Trump,” DeSantis wrote on X (formerly Twitter), echoing his concerns about government overreach. DeSantis has been a vocal critic of the Biden administration, and this incident provided further fodder for his ongoing critiques of the federal government’s handling of state matters.

FEMA, for its part, maintained that the agency’s mission is to provide help to all those in need, regardless of their political affiliations. “FEMA helps all survivors, regardless of their political preference or affiliation,” the spokesperson emphasized. The agency’s swift action to remove the employee and investigate the matter reflects its commitment to maintaining fairness and transparency in its disaster response efforts.

The incident has raised broader questions about the potential for political bias within government agencies, particularly in times of crisis. With elections often bringing heightened political divisions, concerns about the impartiality of government services have become increasingly relevant. The public trust in FEMA’s ability to provide unbiased disaster relief is essential, especially in states like Florida, where political opinions can run deep and vary widely from one community to the next.

As FEMA continues its investigation, the focus remains on ensuring that the people of Florida, and all other disaster-stricken areas, receive the aid they need without discrimination. The agency’s swift response to the incident underscores its commitment to addressing the issue and ensuring that future relief efforts remain free of political influence.

The case also highlights the growing scrutiny of federal agencies and the potential consequences of any perceived politicization of government services, particularly in the realm of disaster relief, where every moment counts in the recovery process. The public and political leaders alike will be watching closely as FEMA completes its investigation and works to restore trust in its operations.