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CV NEWS FEED // The Federal Emergency Management Agency has fired an employee after she was caught directing workers to avoid assisting hurricane survivors who were supporters of then-Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump.
The FEMA director allegedly told workers to avoid helping residents who displayed pro-Trump signs at their homes.
FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell released a series of statements on X in response to the controversy, referring to the employee’s actions as “reprehensible.”
“This is a clear violation of FEMA’s core values and principles to help people regardless of their political affiliation,” wrote Criswell. “This was reprehensible. I want to be clear to all of my employees and the American people, this type of behavior and action will not be tolerated at FEMA and we will hold people accountable if they violate these standards of conduct.”
“We take our mission to help everyone before, during, and after disasters seriously. This employee has been terminated and we have referred the matter to the Office of Special Counsel,” added Criswell. “I will continue to do everything I can to make sure this never happens again.”
Florida Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis claimed the controversial action took place in Florida and took to X to address it.
“The blatant weaponization of government by partisan activists in the federal bureaucracy is yet another reason why the Biden-Harris administration is in its final days,” he wrote.
Florida was hit by back-to-back hurricanes Milton and Helene in September and October. Both storms resulted in loss of life and severe damage to local communities. The estimated cost of damages is estimated to be nearly $50 billion.
“At my direction, the Division of Emergency Management is launching an investigation into the federal government’s targeted discrimination of Floridians who support Donald Trump,” DeSantis wrote. “New leadership is on the way in DC, and I’m optimistic that these partisan bureaucrats will be fired.”
