Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody has filed a lawsuit against the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), accusing the agency of discriminating against supporters of President-elect Donald Trump during hurricane relief efforts.
The lawsuit claims FEMA officials deliberately denied aid to victims of Hurricanes Helene and Milton based on political affiliation.
The suit, filed in federal court, names FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell and former FEMA supervisor Marn'i Washington as defendants. It alleges that Washington directed relief teams to bypass homes displaying Trump campaign signs following Hurricane Milton’s landfall in Florida between late September and early October.
“Hurricane season is not over, and the federal agency in charge of emergency response is embroiled in scandal — caught withholding aid from storm victims in Florida who support President Trump,” Moody said.
Washington, later dismissed from her position, reportedly gave verbal instructions and reiterated them in a group chat, explicitly telling relief teams to avoid homes with pro-Trump signage. This revelation, initially reported by The Daily Wire, has prompted widespread backlash and led to calls for accountability.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has publicly supported the lawsuit, criticizing the incident as “the blatant weaponization of government by partisan activists.” He directed state agencies to conduct their own investigations and expressed confidence that changes in federal leadership would address such issues.
“New leadership is on the way in DC, and I’m optimistic these partisan bureaucrats will be fired,” DeSantis wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
FEMA Administrator Criswell condemned Washington’s actions, calling them “reprehensible” and a “clear violation” of the agency’s mission to provide aid impartially. She confirmed that Washington’s behavior had been uncovered through an internal investigation and emphasized that the former supervisor had “no authority” to issue such directives.
Despite her termination, Washington defended her actions in a media appearance, claiming she was following “standard protocol” to avoid hostility during field operations.
The lawsuit has sparked congressional scrutiny, with Criswell scheduled to testify before the House Oversight and Accountability Committee. FEMA has since expressed its commitment to ensuring aid is distributed fairly, stressing that the agency is “deeply disturbed” by the allegations.
Similar concerns have been raised outside Florida. In North Carolina, FEMA temporarily suspended door-to-door operations following claims of selective aid distribution during Hurricane Helene recovery efforts. Complaints of delayed assistance have also surfaced in areas like Carter County, Tennessee.
FEMA reports that it has provided substantial support, delivering aid to more than 365,000 households affected by Hurricanes Helene and Milton and disbursing over $898 million. However, the allegations of partisan bias have overshadowed these efforts, raising questions about fairness and accountability in disaster relief operations.