DHS inspector general confirms FEMA audit

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Inspector General Joseph Cuffari confirmed that his office initiated an audit of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in mid-December over worries that the agency’s employees avoided homes with President-elect Trump campaign yard signs in multiple states when assisting communities devastated by recent hurricanes, according to a letter shared with The Hill.

The audit was initiated on Dec. 17, and he notified House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chair Sam Graves (R-Mo.) and Rep. Scott Perry (R-Pa) on Monday, according to the letter.

Its objective is “to determine how well FEMA followed its policies and procedures when addressing safety concerns and determining community trends that impact disaster survivor assistance in response to Hurricanes Helene and Milton.”

Graves and Perry called for an investigation on Dec. 3 “into the multiple allegations of the deliberate avoidance of homes with Trump campaign or political signs” during FEMA’s response to hurricanes Helene and Milton.

“In North Carolina, the Committee is aware of reports of FEMA employees skipping any home that displayed a ‘Make America Great Again,’ ‘Drain the Swamp,’ ‘Don’t Tread on Me,’ or Trump campaign sign,” the House Republicans wrote in the 3-page letter. “If the FEMA field team encountered three or more of these signs, the field team could abandon the entire neighborhood without notifying hurricane victims of assistance available to them.”

Marn’i Washington, a former FEMA worker, was fired for allegedly directing an assistance team in Florida to bypass houses with Trump campaign signs and other merchandise. Washington later said she was being “framed” and placed the blame on her supervisor.

Cuffari said he would share the results of the audit, future reports on the topic and “any of our numerous projects” with the lawmakers if they would like to schedule him for a briefing.

“I share your sentiments that any disaster funding provided by Congress must be made available to all affected and that it cannot be conditioned or delayed based on political views,” Cuffari wrote in the letter.

FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell testified in November about the incident and previously said that not offering aid to individuals due to differing political beliefs was “completely at odds with FEMA’s mission.” Criswell also said she believes the incident was not part of a wider practice by the agency’s employees.

Topics

Who will win the NBA's post-LeBron/Steph audition? (Hint: It's over. It's Wemby.)

Cavs vs. Thunder. Wemby vs. Giannis. The future of the league is being showcased on Wednesday.
Yahoo Sports - 4h
Napolitano: Noem should answer how she’d protect FEMA from misinformation

Former Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano said on Sunday that Kristi Noem, President-elect Trump’s pick to lead the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), should be able to say how she ...
The Hill - 2d
The Gen Z problem for audit firms

The profession is finding it harder to attract and retain staff — a key factor in the quality of inspections
Financial Times - 2d
Some USPS workers stealing mail: Inspector General report

Federal prosecutors in December charged two postal workers with stealing more than $1 million in business checks.
The Hill - 4d
Tornado Confirmed in Northern California

A warning covering an area with about 2,200 residents told people to take shelter because flying debris was expected.
The New York Times - 4d
DHS agents in Utah allegedly sold illicit "bath salt" drugs from evidence

Nicholas Kindle, a special agent in Utah tasked with investigating illegal narcotics trafficking, was arrested three weeks after special agent David Cole.
CBS News - 5d
Division titles, wildcards & Jackson's MVP audition on NFL final weekend

A huge NFC showdown in Detroit, Lamar Jackson's final MVP audition and a three-way wildcard battle highlight the final weekend of NFL regular-season games.
BBC News - 6d
What to expect next from FBI, DHS after the New Orleans truck attack

Several federal agencies, including the Department of Homeland Security and the FBI, continue to investigate the deadly truck attack in New Orleans. CBS News national security contributor Sam ...
CBS News - 6d
I Audited the Afghan Reconstruction. It Was Doomed From the Start.

Greed and self-delusion kept the money flowing, and hid the truth from the public.
The New York Times - 6d