Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Sam Graves and Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management Subcommittee Chairman Scott Perry are pressing the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for answers regarding its response to recent hurricanes. Concerns have been raised about FEMA's actions in Florida, where reports indicate that some employees were told to avoid homes displaying campaign signs for President-elect Trump.
In a letter addressed to FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell, Graves and Perry stated, “As the FEMA Administrator, you are responsible for leading the Nation’s efforts to prepare for, protect against, and respond to natural disasters. The Committee is troubled that under your leadership FEMA failed to aid all Americans, regardless of party affiliation.”
The issue came to light when a message was reportedly sent by a FEMA supervisor instructing workers in Lake Placid, Florida to "avoid homes advertising Trump" after Hurricane Milton struck the area. This guidance allegedly led workers to bypass certain homes with Trump campaign signs or flags according to tracking systems used by FEMA.
This inquiry follows an earlier investigation launched by Graves and Perry in October due to concerns over FEMA's response pace in North Carolina. They expressed that such actions contradict FEMA’s mission: “The blatant disregard of President-elect Trump supporters directly contradicts FEMA’s core mission and values,” they remarked.
The letter requests further information from FEMA regarding this guidance. A hearing is scheduled for 10 a.m., on Tuesday, November 19, 2024. It will feature testimony from Administrator Criswell along with several Members of Congress representing disaster-affected districts. The session will review FEMA’s readiness and response strategies concerning these incidents in North Carolina and Florida.
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