FEMA Supervisor Fired Over Alleged Bias Against Trump Supporters in Disaster Response
In a significant development following Hurricane Milton's devastation in Florida, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has dismissed Marni Washington, a 38-year-old supervisor, after she allegedly instructed workers to bypass homes displaying Trump signs. This directive was reportedly issued via a group chat in late October, as teams moved through Lake Placid, a small town that suffered considerable damage from the storm. Washington's instructions quickly sparked national outrage and concern over potential discrimination in FEMA's disaster response approach, leading FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell to respond decisively by terminating Washington's employment.
Washington’s alleged instructions came to light when workers reported that at least 20 homes displaying support for President-elect Donald Trump were intentionally avoided during aid distribution. In comments to The Daily Wire, employees detailed their frustration and disbelief at the order, describing it as contradictory to FEMA’s commitment to impartial service. According to one team member, who volunteered from another agency within the Department of Homeland Security, the directive felt like a betrayal of their commitment to provide unbiased assistance to all disaster victims. "I thought we could go help and make a difference," the worker said. "When we got there, we were told to discriminate against people. It’s almost unbelievable to think that somebody in the federal government would think that’s okay."
The timing of Washington's alleged actions could not have been more delicate, as tensions around disaster aid and partisan bias have been heightened in recent years. FEMA has faced its share of scrutiny for its response strategies, making this incident a particularly sensitive matter. FEMA’s responsibility to deliver unbiased support, regardless of political leanings, is central to the agency’s credibility, and any failure to uphold this principle risks both public trust and institutional integrity.
In response to the controversy, Administrator Deanne Criswell issued a public statement condemning Washington’s actions as "a clear violation of FEMA’s core values and principles to help people regardless of their political affiliation." She further emphasized her commitment to holding employees accountable for any conduct that undermines these values, stating that FEMA would not tolerate "reprehensible" behavior that compromises the agency’s mission.
"I want to be clear to all of my employees and the American people," Criswell posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, "this type of behavior and action will not be tolerated at FEMA, and we will hold people accountable if they violate these standards of conduct." She added her personal commitment to ensuring that FEMA upholds its mission to provide equitable assistance to all Americans, regardless of background or political affiliation.
The fallout from Washington’s alleged directive underscores the ethical and operational challenges FEMA faces in maintaining public trust, particularly in politically polarized environments. This case may prompt FEMA to consider implementing additional training and stricter oversight measures to prevent similar incidents in the future. Experts in disaster management note that maintaining neutrality and consistency in disaster response is critical to the agency's effectiveness, as trust in FEMA’s operations directly impacts its ability to mobilize effectively in emergency situations.
The incident has also ignited discussions about FEMA’s oversight processes, particularly regarding how temporary volunteer teams from various federal agencies are managed and integrated into FEMA’s operations. The individuals following Washington’s orders were reportedly part of a Department of Homeland Security team, assembled from other agencies to bolster FEMA's response capacity. One worker’s comment highlights a critical gap: "I volunteered to help disaster victims, not discriminate against them. It didn’t matter if people were Black, white, Hispanic, for Trump, for Harris. Everyone deserves the same amount of help."
Further complicating the situation were notes left in FEMA’s documentation system marking homes with Trump signs as "no contact per leadership." These entries, which served as internal records of Washington’s instruction, were reportedly deleted from the group chat shortly after they were posted, raising questions about potential efforts to erase evidence of the directive.
The alleged discrimination has reignited debates around FEMA’s policies and the need for accountability within federal disaster response efforts. Following Washington's termination, there may be calls for broader investigations into the management practices and impartiality standards across FEMA's network of supervisors and volunteers.
As FEMA seeks to restore public trust, Administrator Criswell’s proactive stance sends a clear message to FEMA staff and the public alike. However, the agency's path forward may require additional measures to ensure that all employees—whether permanent or temporary volunteers—are trained, supervised, and held to the same rigorous standards of professionalism and impartiality. This case may indeed become a touchstone for reform within FEMA, reminding both the agency and the public that disaster response is a nonpartisan mission that serves every American equally.
