FEMA chief calls passing over of Trump supporters isolated incident, requests wider probe

The head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency defended her organization’s overall response to the back-to-back devastating hurricanes this fall, even as she conceded one of her employees acted unacceptably when that supervisor directed her employees to skip over homes visibly supporting President-elect Trump. 

While FEMA has already fired that worker and launched an internal probe into it, Administrator Deanne Criswell elevated her calls for oversight by saying before the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee on Tuesday she would personally request an inspector general investigation.

Still, Criswell said she was proud of the work her employees accomplished as they responded to hurricanes Helene and Milton, suggesting they acted heroically even as they were exhausted, handled unprecedented misinformation and threats and, in many cases, personally dealt with the fallout of the storms. 

FEMA is facing a firestorm after it confirmed that a manager in Florida advised 11 employees under her supervision to, when conducting a home-to-home canvass of damage and needs, advised staff to skip homes “advertising Trump.” The agency quickly fired the employee and denounced the actions as unacceptable and contrary to its core values. Criswell said on Tuesday it was an isolated incident with no further fallout. 

“This type of behavior and action will not be tolerated at FEMA and we hold people accountable if they violate our standards of conduct,” Criswell said, adding a preliminary investigation has not indicated “any widespread cultural” issues. 

The administrator called the supervisor’s actions “unacceptable” and said she would welcome an independent investigation, which is currently under discussion between the Homeland Security Department’s inspector general and the Office of Special Counsel. Criswell vowed to formally call on the IG to investigate. 

She added FEMA has “taken steps to make sure this never happens again” and noted there is “nothing in our policies or procedures or our training to bypass anyone’s home based on politics.” FEMA has also sent a new team to the area in Florida to contact any homes that were skipped over, work that Criswell said has concluded. 

Criswell generally received praise for her handling of the situation. 

“I think you did your job and I think you did it well,” said Rep. Pete Stauber, R-Minn. “You terminated that employee who weaponized the federal government as quickly as you can, and I think we need to do more of that.” 

Still, Rep. Scott Perry, R-Pa., who chaired Tuesday’s hearing, said after the hearing that Criswell withheld information about her investigation into the matter and accused FEMA officials of trying to “cover their tracks.” He added an IG investigation would be “a step in the right direction.” 

In addition to the concerns raised over the politicized actions of that supervisor, several Republicans castigated Criswell for her agency’s involvement in providing shelter for some undocumented immigrants. Criswell repeatedly responded to the complaints by noting she is simply following Congress’ mandate, as the funding is provided to Customs and Border Protection and directed to FEMA to provide the housing assistance. None of the funds come from the agency’s Disaster Relief Fund. 

Stauber and others also criticized Criswell for the speed at which FEMA responded to Milton and Helene. Stauber pushed the administrator to acknowledge her agency could have performed better and Criswell said FEMA “can always do better.” Rep. Chuck Edwards, R-N.C., whose district was devastated by Helene, testified as a witness to the committee that some areas waited one week before being contacted by FEMA. He said the agency was saddled by “bureaucratic missteps, delays and poor communication.” 

FEMA is seeking $40 billion to support its ongoing disaster relief efforts as part of President Biden’s overall $98 billion request for emergency funding. The White House formally made its request, which would also benefit the Agriculture Department, Transportation Department, Small Business Administration and a dozen others, on Monday and Congress is expected to consider it in the coming weeks.