Gov. DeSantis calls for investigation after FEMA relief workers directed to avoid homes of Trump supporters

by · Fox 4
FEMA is in the hot seat after some agency volunteers say they were allegedly told to avoid homes showing support for President-elect Trump in Highlands County, Florida.

HIGHLANDS COUNTY, Fla. — Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is calling for an investigation into FEMA after allegedly FEMA volunteers told the publication the Daily Wire, that they were instructed by the agency to skip President Elect Donald Trump supporter's homes when surveying damage in Highlands County after Hurricane Milton.

According to internal text messages reviewed by the publication, workers in Lake Placid avoided around 20 homes quote "advertising Trump".

Governor DeSantis took to x to say Florida's Division of Emergency Management would be investigating the incident.

Dozens of GOP lawmakers have also weighed in, including Senator Rick Scott and Representative Anna Paulina Luna.

In a statement to Fox News Digital, a FEMA spokesperson said the agency is "deeply disturbed" after the incident," noting the official who gave the instruction "was given no direction to tell teams to avoid these homes."

FEMA’s Full Statement to Fox News Digital:

"FEMA helps all survivors regardless of their political preference or affiliation and we are deeply disturbed by this employee’s actions. While we believe this is an isolated incident, we have taken measures to remove the employee from their role and are investigating the matter to prevent this from happening ever again. The employee who issued this guidance had no authority and was given no direction to tell teams to avoid these homes and we are reaching out to the people who may have not been reached as a result of this incident. This is a matter that we take extremely seriously, and we are doing everything we can to make sure all survivors receive support from FEMA. To date, we have helped over 365,000 households impacted by both Hurricanes Helene and Milton in the state of Florida and have provided over $898 million in direct assistance to survivors. We are horrified that this took place and therefore have taken extreme actions to correct this situation and have ensured that the matter was addressed at all levels. Helping people is what we do best and our workforce across the agency will continue to serve survivors for as long as it takes."

FEMA Director Deanne Criswell commented on the matter on X, calling it reprehensible. She went on to say the employee has been fired and will be referred to the Office of Special Counsel.