House Republicans Demand Answers Over Alleged FEMA Bias Against Trump Supporters

Allegations of political discrimination within FEMA have sparked demands from House Republicans for an investigation into the agency’s practices. Reports claim FEMA workers bypassed homes displaying pro-Trump campaign signs during hurricane relief efforts in Florida and North Carolina.

Rep. Sam Graves (R-MO) and Rep. Scott Perry (R-PA) sent a letter to DHS Inspector General Joseph Cuffari, urging a detailed review of the claims. They referenced accusations that FEMA supervisor Marn’i Washington instructed relief workers in Lake Placid, Florida, to ignore homes with Trump-related signs.

Additional reports suggest FEMA teams in North Carolina also avoided neighborhoods with signs such as “Make America Great Again.” Allegedly, workers skipped areas with three or more signs without notifying residents of available assistance.

FEMA Director Deanne Criswell, testifying before Congress last month, stated that the Florida incident was an isolated case and affirmed that FEMA does not permit political discrimination. Criswell confirmed she had requested an investigation by the Inspector General’s office after lawmakers pressed her on the matter.

Washington, who was terminated following the allegations, has denied wrongdoing and claims other FEMA teams engaged in similar behavior. She contends the actions were not limited to her supervision and reflect broader practices within the agency.

Republicans argue these allegations raise serious concerns about fairness in disaster relief distribution. They stress that a thorough investigation is necessary to determine whether political bias played a role in FEMA’s operations and to prevent future discrimination.