Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator Deanne Criswell faced tough questioning during a tense congressional hearing on Tuesday, as allegations surfaced that Trump supporters’ homes were intentionally skipped during disaster aid efforts following Hurricane Milton.
Criswell, addressing two House committees, denied that the alleged targeting reflected any systemic bias within FEMA.
She attributed the incident to a “rogue employee” and confirmed that the employee in question, Marn’i Washington, had been terminated.
However, her reassurances did little to calm Republican lawmakers, who pressed her on claims that political discrimination may be more widespread.
The Gateway Pundit previously reported:
FEMA official Marn’i Washington ordered her staff to avoid assisting homes with Trump flags in their yards following the aftermath of a recent hurricane in Florida. Marn’i wanted them to suffer for their support for Donald Trump.
A whistleblower came forward with text messages revealing FEMA official Marn’i Washington ordered relief workers to purposely skip over homes in Florida displaying Trump signs in the aftermath of Hurricane Milton.
According to internal messages obtained by The Daily Wire, FEMA discriminated against Trump supporters in need of help in the aftermath of the most recent hurricanes that passed through the Southeast.
“Whistleblowers say that relief workers were told it was “best practice” to pass over houses “advertising Trump.”” The Daily Wire reported.
The workers would enter into the system that they made no contact with the residents, blaming the directive: “Trump sign, no contact per leadership”
Marn’i’s staff at FEMA complied and skipped over at least 20 homes of suffering Americans.
Washington was then removed from her role at FEMA.
However, Marn’i Washington said it is NOT an isolated incident, and FEMA workers were instructed to skip over Trump houses in the Carolinas, too!
Washington also said that FEMA is lying about what happened in Florida as being an “isolated incident” and using her as a scapegoat.
“Demand those incidents reports,” Marn’i Washington said as she explained the orders came down from the leadership.
WATCH:
The FEMA official who was just fired for telling workers to avoid homes impacted by the hurricanes in Florida if they had Trump signs says that it was not “isolated” and that FEMA workers were instructed to do it in the Carolinas too. pic.twitter.com/BpBdZFSSPR
— Greg Price (@greg_price11) November 12, 2024
During the joint hearing of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee on FEMA Oversight and the House Oversight and Accountability Committee, Republicans grilled Criswell on FEMA’s handling of the situation.
Criswell defended the agency, stating unequivocally that FEMA policies, procedures, and training prohibit any form of political discrimination.
However, Republican lawmakers were skeptical of FEMA’s internal investigation, pressing for assurances that the matter would not be swept under the rug.
Rep. Scott Perry (R-PA) voiced the concerns of many when he questioned Criswell on why an IG investigation hadn’t been initiated sooner.
Criswell said that the agency’s Office of Professional Responsibility is collaborating with the Office of the Inspector General (IG) to determine whether systemic issues exist. She conceded under pressure that she had not yet formally requested an IG investigation but pledged to do so moving forward.
Transcript:
Rep. Scott Perry:
Administrator, last week we sent a letter signed by myself and all the committee’s Republican members to you about the recent allegations you just mentioned. FEMA workers allegedly skipped the homes of supporters of the President-elect. Following these allegations, you issued a statement that one FEMA employee departed from FEMA’s values and was terminated.However, she alleges those were the instructions from FEMA when she was deployed. She asserts that FEMA supervisors and leadership were aware. Independently, we’ve received reports of similar practices in places like North Carolina. Tell me about the investigation. Who’s conducting it? Has there been an IG investigation initiated by yourself or anyone in FEMA?
Criswell:
Chairman Perry, there is nothing in our policies, procedures, or training that would direct any employee to bypass a home based on political party. I cannot speak to her motivations, but this came to my attention on November 7. I directed my team to gather information, and on November 9, I received the factual information and directed her termination.This first came to our Office of Professional Responsibility on October 28 through a TSA team member working under this individual. The concern was immediately raised with the Office of the Special Counsel, which took the case as a potential Hatch Act violation.
Ongoing investigations are in place, and the Office of Professional Responsibility is currently working with the IG to determine the investigative path forward. While the IG has not yet stated they will investigate, I strongly encourage them to take on this case to assess if this is a widespread issue or a single incident.
Rep. Scott Perry:
You’re working with them and encouraging them, but you haven’t requested an investigation. According to your employee, Ms. Washington, when asked publicly about these orders, she said they came from someone above her. What has your investigation uncovered about her direct supervisors? Have you questioned them, and what have their answers been?Criswell:
Chairman Perry, our ongoing investigation has included questioning other personnel in her chain of command. At this point, we have found no evidence that her actions were directed by anyone above her.Rep. Scott Perry:
The same employee alleged that the Florida team had already been avoiding Trump voters’ homes before her work there and described this as “the culture.” These aren’t my words; they are from a FEMA employee claiming to be a scapegoat. She asserts she was executing orders from her supervisors. How many supervisors does she have above her in the chain of command?Criswell:
She is a crew lead, the lowest level of supervision.Rep. Scott Perry:
So, there are many layers above her in the chain of command?Criswell:
Yes, several. I can provide an organizational chart showing her position within the organization.Rep. Scott Perry:
Your investigation has spoken to her immediate supervisors and a few steps above them?Criswell:
Yes, we have an ongoing investigation to determine if there were any additional violations of FEMA’s core values of compassion, fairness, integrity, and respect.Rep. Scott Perry:
You can understand the public’s perspective—especially those who weren’t visited by FEMA—that FEMA might want to conclude this internally and claim it was an isolated incident. Why shouldn’t this be an independent investigation by the IG?Criswell:
The actions of this employee are unacceptable.Rep. Scott Perry:
We agree on that. But you haven’t requested an IG investigation. Will you?Criswell:
Yes, I will request one.
