MIAMI LAKES, Fla. - Rep. Tom Fabricio, R-Miami Lakes, advocated using the Florida State Guard on Friday after an employee with the Federal Emergency Management Agency, or FEMA, allegedly held aid from Florida Trump supporters in the aftermath of Hurricane Milton.
"FEMA denying disaster relief to Floridians based on political beliefs. This is why Florida needs the @FLStateGuard - to ensure fair, impartial, impartial aid for ALL Floridians in times of crisis," Fabricio said.
The controversy stems after FEMA employee Marn'i Washington allegedly told a survivor assistance team not to visit homes showing support for President-elect Donald Trump.
Additionally, a complaint recently filed by Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody alleges FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell "agreed" with the now-fired Washington to deny help to Floridians displaying Trump flags or signs.
The lawsuit alleges, under Washington's guidance, at least 20 homes in Lake Placid, Florida, were passed over in late October and early November for showing support to President-elect Trump.
Specifically, Milton's outer bands caused a Tornado to form over a mobile home park in Lake Placid, about two hours southeast of Tampa. The area also was hit by Hurricane Helene in late September.
Text messages later revealed Washington allegedly told officials to “avoid homes advertising Trump."
"While the facts will continue to come out over the weeks and months, it is already clear that Defendant Washington conspired with senior FEMA officials, as well as those carrying out her orders, to violate the civil rights of Florida citizens," the complaint reads.
The complaint adds, “FEMA workers followed these instructions and entered in a government database messages such as ‘Trump sign no entry per leadership.’
Washington added that similar conduct occurred in North Carolina, which also was damaged by Milton and Hurricane Helene.
While the agency called Washington's conduct "reprehensible", Washington in turn has accused FEMA of using her as a "scapegoat."
Filed in federal court in Fort Pierce, Florida, Moody is seeking punitive damages and a declaration that both FEMA officials were unlawfully complicit in violating Floridians' civil rights.
"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. "I am taking swift legal action to find out how far this political discrimination reaches and to make sure all Americans who fall victim to devastating storms are served, regardless of their political affiliation.”
Along with Moody, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis also weighed in on the controversy.
"It’s unacceptable for the federal government to discriminate against Floridians who voted for Trump, and especially egregious in the aftermath of a hurricane," DeSantis said. "I’m supportive of this legal action by the Attorney General’s Office, and I have instructed state agencies to likewise take any action necessary to investigate and ensure those who engaged in this behavior are held accountable."
