The FEMA supervisor who instructed relief workers to bypass the homes of Donald Trump’s supporters while distributing hurricane aid in Florida has learned her fate following a Daily Wire report revealing the outrage. FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell announced on Saturday that field supervisor Marn’i Washington was dismissed after directing federal employees under her supervision to “avoid homes advertising Trump” while canvassing Lake Placid, Florida, to identify residents eligible for federal aid. Whistleblowers shared messages with The Daily Wire indicating that these instructions were given both verbally and in writing, as confirmed by multiple government employees.
“More than 22,000 FEMA employees every day adhere to FEMA’s core values and are dedicated to helping people before, during and after disasters, often sacrificing time with their own families to help disaster survivors. Recently, one FEMA employee departed from these values to advise her survivor assistance team to not go to homes with yard signs supporting President-elect Trump,” Criswell said in a statement.
“This is a clear violation of FEMA’s core values and principles to help people regardless of their political affiliation. This was reprehensible. I want to be clear to all of my employees and the American people, this type of behavior and action will not be tolerated at FEMA and we will hold people accountable if they violate these standards of conduct,” she added.
Criswell added that the incident had been referred to a special counsel for investigation. “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,” she said. Federal employees told The Daily Wire that at least 20 homes were skipped between late October and early November due to the guidance, which was provided both verbally and in a group chat. The report has led state and federal officials to call for an investigation into the incident.
Florida Rep. Anna Paulina Luna said the Daily Wire’s report was “sickening,” and also that she fears her constituents were targeted. “My district was one of the most heavily impacted by Hurricanes Helene and Milton, and it has been sickening to hear that more than half of my constituents were discriminated against for their political beliefs. Big government bureaucrats despise everyday Americans because they are not politically expedient for them,” Luna told The Daily Wire on Saturday. “I demand answers from FEMA Administrator Criswell and Congress must fully investigate this matter. The days of putting Americans and America last are over.”
I just took swift action for the American people, and I’m demanding answers from @FEMA_Deanne on why Americans were discriminated against by their government based on who they support in an election. The findings are revolting, and we need accountability.
You have until 11/25. pic.twitter.com/Jz2gQVmhpc
— Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (@RepLuna) November 9, 2024
An employee under Washington’s supervision had previously filed a complaint about the guidance with the Department of Homeland Security, which oversees FEMA. As of Thursday, government employees told The Daily Wire that Washington had only been reassigned to a different Florida county. However, FEMA confirmed on Friday that she was no longer actively working for the agency.
Disclaimer: This article may contain commentary which reflects the author’s opinion.