The FEMA supervisor who was fired after The Daily Wire revealed she directed disaster relief workers in Florida to “avoid homes” with signs advertising Donald Trump said on Tuesday that this was not an “isolated” incident, and is likely happening in disaster areas across the country.
Marn’i Washington said that FEMA has a widespread policy of avoiding “politically hostile” homes during an interview with Roland Martin. She said that FEMA’s suggestion that she made an independent decision to avoid certain homes is a mischaracterization, stating that it is agency policy.
“FEMA always preaches avoidance first and then de-escalation, so this is not isolated,” Washington said. “This is a colossal event of avoidance not just in the state of Florida, but you will find avoidance in the Carolinas.”
“Senior leadership will lie to you and tell you that they do not know,” Washington said.
BREAKING: Fired FEMA employee does first interview with @rolandsmartin, says her team’s avoidance of homes in Florida was not an “isolated” incident
“This is a colossal event of avoidance not just in the state of Florida.” pic.twitter.com/aCrTr6V771
— Leif Le Mahieu (@leif_lemahieu) November 12, 2024
FEMA fired Washington on Saturday after The Daily Wire reported that whistleblowers said she directed them verbally and in a group chat to “avoid homes advertising Trump” when canvassing in Highlands County, Florida.
FEMA told The Daily Wire on Friday that the guidance was an “isolated incident” and not approved by the agency.
“The employee who issued this guidance had no authority and was given no direction to tell teams to avoid these homes and we are reaching out to the people who may have not been reached as a result of this incident.”
READ MORE: FEMA Official Ordered Relief Workers To Skip Houses With Trump Signs
Washington said incident reports would substantiate incidents of avoidance because of “political hostility.” She asserted that there was a “community trend” of “hostility” coming from people with Trump yard signs or flags in Lake Placid. She said some examples of hostility included people saying things like “I don’t like FEMA,” “You’re part of the Biden-Harris campaign,” “You guys are lying to people,” and “You’re not helping people.” In one specific example, Washington said some workers were told to “drain the swamp and some other kind of crazy statements.”
“FEMA’s very well aware of the incidents that take place, not just with my crew, but with all the crews in the states,” she said.
Washington told Martin that her supervisors approved her avoidance of certain streets in Lake Placid. She showed a text message that she says was sent to a supervisor saying that one road was “politically hostile” and “we are not canvassing this street further.” The supervisor reportedly responded, “Great decision. Thanks for the update.”
Federal and state investigations have been launched into FEMA to probe its policies for providing aid. FEMA has not responded to allegations from Washington, and did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The Daily Wire has requested an interview with Washington.
