Tennessee Governor Bill Lee’s announcement of an investigation into FEMA couldn’t have come at a more telling moment, and frankly, it’s about time. According to whistleblower reports, FEMA staff allegedly skipped helping homeowners with Trump flags or signs after Hurricane Milton swept through Florida, supposedly under direct orders from a former FEMA supervisor, Marn’i Washington.
This directive didn’t just undermine the agency’s credibility; it blatantly betrayed its purpose of serving all Americans, regardless of political affiliation. And yes, this mess is now the subject of multiple investigations, including from Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and Tennessee’s own attorney general.
Now, let’s break down what’s reportedly happened. The Daily Wire reported that FEMA supervisor Marn’i Washington told her team, in writing and verbally, to avoid the homes of Trump-supporting residents as they canvassed Lake Placid, Florida. This means at least 20 homes were intentionally overlooked—20 families left without assistance in a time of need because of their political beliefs. Washington has since been fired, with FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell calling her actions “reprehensible” and referring the matter to the Office of Special Counsel. But that’s a little like putting out a fire after half the neighborhood has already burned down.
FEMA officials discriminated against Trump voters? Totally illegal. I’m asking the Inspector General to launch a full investigation immediately. Everyone involved needs to be identified, fired – and if necessary, prosecuted pic.twitter.com/GGoJUcgneb
— Josh Hawley (@HawleyMO) November 9, 2024
This type of discrimination isn’t just unfair; it’s a violation of the basic principle that government services should be nonpartisan. Governor Bill Lee summed it up in a statement, saying, “Americans should never have the government weaponized against them.” And he’s right. FEMA’s role is to help everyone in a disaster zone, no exceptions. When FEMA workers are instructed to avoid certain homes based on political signs in the yard, it’s nothing short of a disgraceful misuse of government power, and it erodes the trust of Americans who are already dealing with enough hardship.
Governor Lee is rightly concerned about whether Tennesseans were also impacted by FEMA’s mishandling of relief efforts, especially since parts of east Tennessee suffered significant flooding from Hurricane Helene. Some Tennessee residents reported that it took nearly two weeks for FEMA to respond to their calls for help in Roan Mountain, leaving folks stranded and desperate for relief. Given the whistleblower allegations, you can’t blame Tennessee residents for wondering whether political bias might have played a role in these delays.
To top it off, House lawmakers are now planning their own investigation into FEMA, and FEMA Administrator Criswell has been asked to testify before the House Oversight Committee later this month. You have to wonder how many more cases like this might exist, hidden behind bureaucratic walls and paper trails.
Michigan… head on a swivel
🚨 Why is FEMA staging 350 Semi-Trucks full of “Equipment” in Michigan at a Decommissioned Air Force Base, for “Emergency Situations” pertaining to Six Specific MI Counties?
Someone sent me this and wished to stay anonymous… but urged me to look… pic.twitter.com/QP0ZAFl1xd
— MJTruthUltra (@MJTruthUltra) November 11, 2024
In the meantime, while FEMA’s top brass promise to prevent this kind of thing from happening again, the damage is already done. Suppose federal agencies can get away with making aid contingent on a person’s political beliefs. In that case, it sends a dangerous message that some Americans are more worthy of help than others, depending on who they support. This kind of partisanship has no place in disaster relief.
The fact that FEMA skipped over houses with Trump flags when administering rescue relief efforts and hurricane assistance should be the number one story in America. pic.twitter.com/EVFluAuMku
— Insurrection Barbie (@DefiyantlyFree) November 9, 2024
Governor Lee, alongside other state and federal lawmakers, is right to demand accountability from FEMA. Americans deserve better than an agency that plays politics with people’s lives. Whether you’re a Democrat or a Republican, everyone should be able to agree that disaster relief shouldn’t depend on which political sign is in someone’s front yard.
