FEMA chief under fire over allegations of bias in hurricane relief efforts

FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell faced intense scrutiny Tuesday over allegations that a FEMA employee instructed disaster responders to refrain from assisting homes supportive of former President Donald Trump in the wake of Hurricane Milton.

Criswell was fired after the employee was fired, saying the actions were “reprehensible” and a violation of FEMA’s principles of assisting all individuals regardless of their political affiliation.

Criswell testified before the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, calling for an inspector general investigation into whether this was an isolated incident or part of a larger issue. He rejected claims of a broader direction and emphasized that the terminated employee acted alone.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and Attorney General Ashley Moody launched state investigations; Moody filed a lawsuit against Criswell and a former FEMA inspector, alleging civil rights violations against Floridians who supported Trump.

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