Salazar Demands Answers from Biden-Harris FEMA for Skipping Florida Trump Supporters in Hurricane Relief Efforts

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Reps. María Elvira Salazar (R-FL), Vern Buchanan (R-FL), and 53 of their colleagues in the House of Representatives demandedaccountability from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) following stunning revelations that an agency supervisor instructed staff to avoid providing storm assistance to homes displaying campaign signs in support of President-elect Trump.

According to reports from sources inside FEMA, many homes with pro-Trump campaign signs or flags were bypassed by relief workers from late October through November, as a result of guidance from a FEMA supervisor directing workers to avoid these homes in the wake of Hurricane Milton. The supervisor alleged that this practice of political discrimination was “not isolated” to Florida, but also extended to the Carolinas. She even stated that “senior leadership will lie to you and tell you that they don't know” while FEMA continues to deny assistance to storm victims across the country. 

“The federal government’s disaster relief services are meant to help Americans regardless of their political affiliation. The fact that the Biden-Harris Administration’s FEMA allowed aid to be prioritized based on their support for President-elect Trump is completely un-American,” said Rep. Salazar. “I and the members of the Florida delegation demand answers from Administrator Criswell for these cruel directives.”

“FEMA has a responsibility to serve every American equally, regardless of political affiliation—especially in times of crisis,” said Rep. Buchanan. “It is deeply disturbing that FEMA would allow political bias to influence its disaster relief efforts. This is a clear violation of FEMA’s mission and Administrator Criswell needs to ensure that all affected residents are contacted, apologized to and provided with the assistance they need.”

“Americans deserve better. In this country, we protect all our citizens, regardless of political affiliation. We urge FEMA to take swift and decisive action to address this issue, hold those responsible fully accountable and restore public trust in its ability to serve every American in need,” wrote the lawmakers.

Read the full text of the letter to Administrator Criswell here.

###