FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell announced the firing of a FEMA manager who ordered her staff not to assist residents displaying flags or yard signs supporting President-elect Donald Trump’s campaign. Using a Saturday afternoon message on the social media platform “X,” formerly known as Twitter, Criswell acknowledged the veracity of the report that first appeared in the Daily Wire (see OUTRAGE: FEMA Workers Working Hurricane Milton Aftermath Ordered to Bypass Houses With Trump Signs). This follows a report that the responsible official was “removed” from their position on Friday (see UPDATE: FEMA Official Who Ordered Bypassing of Trump Supporters’ Homes ‘Removed From Role’).
Recently, a FEMA employee departed from these values to advise her survivor assistance team to not go to homes with yard signs supporting President-elect Trump. This is a clear violation of FEMA’s core values & principles to help people regardless of their political affiliation.
— Deanne Criswell (@FEMA_Deanne) November 9, 2024
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. I will continue to do everything I can to make sure this never happens again.
— Deanne Criswell (@FEMA_Deanne) November 9, 2024
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. I will continue to do everything I can to make sure this never happens again.
The official, identified as Marn’i Washington, a FEMA reservist from California, sent a message to her staff directing residences displaying Trump campaign items be bypassed.
EXCLUSIVE: Internal messages obtained by The Daily Wire show a FEMA official ordered relief workers in Florida not to help houses with Trump signs pic.twitter.com/o73ejUuYUG
— Daily Wire (@realDailyWire) November 8, 2024
Implement best practice:
- no one goes anywhere alone
- avoid homes advertising Trump
- practice de-escalation and preventative measures
- communicate and follow the rules
- bring a towel with you tomorrow in the field
- frequent breaks and drink water
- avoid high salt diets and coffee
- coconut water is a fast way to replentish your electrolytes quickly
The Daily Wire also provided documentary evidence that Washington’s directions were carried out.
Whistleblowers say that relief workers were told it was “best practice” to pass over houses “advertising Trump.”
The workers would enter into the system that they made no contact with the residents, blaming the directive: “Trump sign, no contact per leadership” pic.twitter.com/1b0uL7pSDy
— Daily Wire (@realDailyWire) November 8, 2024
Firing is a necessary but not sufficient step.
First, this announcement does not appear on FEMA’s website in any form other than a tweet. It seems to me that this should rate some sort of an official statement.
Second, Washington’s message does not give the impression that she came up with it independently. In my opinion, it looks very much like a safety briefing she took down at a meeting.
Third, firing her and referring the case to the Office of Special Counsel looks more like an exercise in butt-covering and scapegoating than concern about her actions.
Fourth, while her actions may be viewed as just the petty tyranny we’ve come to expect from a highly politicized federal bureaucracy, depriving citizens of federal assistance because they supported a major party candidate is a violation of multiple federal laws. FEMA seems to be attempting to appear to take action until the heat dies down. Fortunately, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis isn’t going along to get along.
In their own words this is illegal Mr. Desantis .. see here!!!! https://t.co/S4LGG9rwUy
Political discrimination during disasters is also covered under the law confirmed. Screenshot from DHS site directly attached. pic.twitter.com/XBpW7OHuKY
— Dutchsinse (@RealDutchsinse) November 9, 2024
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.
New leadership is on the way in DC, and I’m optimistic that these partisan bureaucrats will be fired.
At a minimum, all staff working under her supervisory chain need to be questioned about the instructions they received. It is entirely possible that Washington was the only team leader dim enough to write down and disseminate something meant to be unsaid. In fact, it is unbelievable that this was not FEMA policy in that area. A thorough investigation that results in firing everyone involved with this policy is not enough. Asses need to go to jail.
