WASHINGTON – The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has responded with corrective action to a federal oversight initiative co-led by Congressman Byron Donalds (R-FL).
The Donalds-endorsed initiative demanded answers regarding shocking reports in the aftermath of Hurricanes Helene and Milton that a FEMA crew lead directed their Disaster Survivor Assistance Team to "avoid homes advertising Trump." Led by Rep. Vern Buchanan (R-FL), this important initiative also received the support of more than fifty members of Congress.
As a response to the pressure applied by the Donalds-endorsed initiative, FEMA has fired the crew lead and three additional employees for failure to meet agency standards of conduct and for actions deemed by the agency to be "reprehensible" and intolerable. The investigation was conducted in coordination with the Office of the Inspector General and the Office of Special Counsel, FEMA's Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR). Congressman Donalds (R-FL) released the following statement:
"When disaster strikes, the American people deserve a federal government that is responsive, supportive, and efficient," said Congressman Byron Donalds (R-FL)."In the aftermath of Hurricanes Milton and Helene, this did not occur. FEMA employees were instructed to 'avoid homes advertising Trump' and flagrantly politicized the most important services of government when they were needed most. I am proud that our federal oversight initiative has resulted in extensive investigation and the termination of those who weaponized disaster relief for political gain. We are holding unelected bureaucrats accountable and putting the American people first."
Initiative Support:
Representatives Robert Aderholt (R-AL), Brian Babin (R-TX), Aaron Bean (R-FL), Stephanie Bice (R-OK), Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), Lauren Boebert (R-CO), Josh Brecheen (R-OK), Vern Buchanan (R-FL), Kat Cammack (R-FL), Mike Carey (R-OH), Buddy Carter (R-GA), Dan Crenshaw (R-TX), Warren Davidson (R-OH), Byron Donalds (R-FL), Jeff Duncan (R-SC), Neal Dunn (R-FL), Randy Feenstra (R-IA), Drew Ferguson (R-GA), Brad Finstad (R-MN), Scott Fitzgerald (R-WI), Charles Fleischmann (R-TN), Virginia Foxx (R-NC), Scott Franklin (R-FL), Russell Fry (R-SC), Matt Gaetz (R-FL), Lance Gooden (R-TX), Paul Gosar (R-AZ), Kevin Hern (R-OK), French Hill (R-AR), Richard Hudson (R-NC), David Joyce (R-OH), Doug LaMalfa (R-CA), Nick Langworthy (R-NY), Bob Latta (R-OH), Laurel Lee (R-FL), Debbie Lesko (R-AZ), Barry Loudermilk (R-GA), Anna Paulina Luna (R-FL), Nicole Malliotakis (R-NY), Brian Mast (R-FL), Rick McCormick (R-GA), Mary Miller (R-IL), Cory Mills (R-FL), Greg Murphy (R-NC), Ralph Norman (R-SC), Burgess Owens (R-UT), Bill Posey (R-FL), Guy Reschenthaler (R-PA), Mike Rogers (R-OH), John Rutherford (R-FL), María Elvira Salazar (R-FL), Keith Self (R-TX), Claudia Tenney (R-NY), Beth Van Duyne (R-TX), Tim Walberg (R-MI), and Daniel Webster (R-FL).
