The House Committee on Oversight and Accountability announced Saturday it would be holding a hearing to investigate FEMA after The Daily Wire reported that a federal employee ordered relief workers in Florida to skip the homes of people with signs or flags supporting Donald Trump.
Committee Chairman James Comer (R-KY) sent a letter to FEMA administrator Deanne Criswell asking that she show up to testify before lawmakers on November 19. The letter comes after whistleblowers told The Daily Wire that they were instructed by now-fired FEMA supervisor Marn’i Washington to “avoid homes advertising Trump” when offering relief in Lake Placid, Florida.
“This hearing will address FEMA’s response to recent major natural disasters, including Hurricanes Helene and Milton, and permit members to investigate recent reports that a FEMA official instructed relief workers to bypass hurricane-impacted homes displaying campaign signs for President Trump,” Comer wrote in a letter to Criswell.
🚨BREAKING🚨
I’m calling on FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell to appear & testify before the House Oversight Committee at a hearing on November 19.
FEMA has a responsibility to all Americans & @GOPoversight is committed to ensuring FEMA adheres to its disaster relief mission. pic.twitter.com/5HbWhHsgOI
— Rep. James Comer (@RepJamesComer) November 9, 2024
“In the wake of the recent major disasters that impacted Americans of all political persuasions, it is critical that FEMA adheres to its disaster relief mission,” Comer added.
Multiple government employees from the relief team told The Daily Wire that at least 20 homes were skipped because of the guidance. The employees said this guidance was given both verbally, as well as in a group chat used by the relief team.
Criswell announced on Saturday that Washington had been fired.