Florida sues FEMA after official tells hurricane relief team to flee homes with Trump signs

Florida attorney general files lawsuit Federal Emergency Management Agency This week, after a former chief of the agency instructed FEMA workers to stay away from homes with Donald Trump campaign signs during recent hurricane relief efforts.

caseThe lawsuit filed Wednesday by State’s Attorney Ashley Moody names FEMA administrator Deanne Criswell and former FEMA supervisor Marn Washington as defendants.

“While the facts will continue to emerge over the weeks and months, it is already clear that Defendant Washington conspired with senior FEMA officials and those carrying out his orders to violate the civil rights of Florida citizens,” Moody said. complaint.

Daily Wire It was first reported last week that a FEMA worker instructed aid workers to drive over homes with yard signs supporting Trump. Criswell the next day announced He said the employee was fired for doing so, calling it “a clear violation of FEMA’s core values ​​and principles of helping people regardless of their political affiliation.”

Employee, Washington, later he told the Washington Examiner He said he was simply following protocol to direct FEMA workers to avoid potentially hostile political encounters, which have occurred in the past at homes displaying Trump signs.

“The continuing trend of these encounters has been at homes with Trump campaign signs,” he told the Examiner. “The leaked notation had nothing to do with their political stance. “It was done for security purposes.”

Washington also said the agency made him a “scapegoat.”

Conspiracy theories about FEMA’s relief efforts became widespread following Hurricanes Helene and Milton, which reached Florida in September and October, respectively. Trump and his allies have amplified these claims. false claim He said FEMA diverted disaster relief funds to house immigrants in the United States illegally. Trump too requested the federal government was “going out of its way to not help people in Republican areas.” Some aid efforts were disrupted As a result, FEMA workers reported facing threats. Local authorities also He called on the public to stop spreading these claims..

It is not uncommon for FEMA workers to be told to avoid potentially hostile interactions. But the scandal that FEMA was allegedly denying people aid because of their political connections shook Criswell. It’s set Testifying before the House Oversight and Accountability Committee More on that topic next week.

FEMA has declined to comment publicly on the ongoing litigation.