FEMA chief testifies over agency skipping Trump homes

Energy & Environment

The Big Story

FEMA chief testifies over agency skipping Trump homes

The head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) faced intense questioning from Republicans over a since-fired employee's directive that staff avoid houses with Trump campaign signage after Hurricane Milton.

FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell was asked about fired FEMA employee Marn’i Washington. Washington has alleged she was scapegoated, saying Monday that she doesn’t “create policy” and was “simply following orders.”

Committee Chair James Comer (R-Ky.) and Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) attempted to cast the directive as part of broader disdain for supporters of President-elect Trump, while House Democrats frequently brought up the spread of misinformation surrounding FEMA’s presence and the threat of climate change.

False claims about government funding began circulating online shortly after Hurricane Helene struck Florida, Georgia and North Carolina in September. Then-candidate Trump was among those who shared such claims on social media, including that the government was purposely withholding aid from Republican hurricane victims while FEMA redirected disaster relief funds to migrants. FEMA refuted both claims, as well as other inaccurate information surrounding the agency’s storm response.

Government officials, meanwhile, warned that the spread of inaccurate information was complicating relief efforts.

Read more at TheHill.com.

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