Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) has issued a sharp demand to key figures in the Biden administration, insisting that they investigate an incident involving a Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) employee who reportedly advised relief workers to bypass homes displaying pro-Trump signs.
This directive, issued by FEMA employee Marn’i Washington, came to light after a whistleblower complaint and subsequent reporting by The Daily Wire. Paul’s appeal to Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas and FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell aims to uncover whether this guidance was an isolated case or part of a larger pattern of politically biased practices within FEMA.
According to The Daily Wire, Washington instructed FEMA personnel in Lake Placid, Florida, to avoid “homes advertising Trump” while providing relief for Hurricane Milton. FEMA swiftly responded by terminating Washington, citing this guidance as an “isolated incident.”
However, Paul’s recent letter reveals his skepticism, emphasizing that such directives raise “serious questions about FEMA’s ability to impartially administer disaster relief.” This incident has drawn attention to FEMA’s responsibility to administer aid neutrally and without regard to political leanings.
In response, Washington told The Daily Wire’s Roland Martin that FEMA workers are generally advised to avoid “politically hostile” homes, arguing that avoidance is part of FEMA’s broader strategy to sidestep confrontations and ensure safety. She added that this “avoidance-first” policy extends beyond Florida, suggesting it may also be in practice in other states such as the Carolinas.
This statement has only deepened Paul’s concerns. As the ranking member of the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, Paul has requested a complete review of all documents linked to this guidance, including records on when FEMA officials first became aware of the Lake Placid incident.
He also referenced previous instances of FEMA allegedly giving similar instructions during Hurricane Helene relief efforts in North Carolina. These allegations suggest that FEMA’s approach may be more widespread than previously acknowledged, potentially signaling an organizational pattern of political discrimination in the distribution of disaster aid.
Paul has also requested a full account of any additional cases where FEMA may have discriminated based on political beliefs. The senator’s letter, which demands a response by November 26, has sparked a wave of state and federal investigations.
These investigations aim to confirm whether FEMA workers have received similar politically charged instructions in other regions, raising significant questions about the agency’s commitment to impartial disaster response.