FEMA Official Suspended for Directing Relief Workers to Avoid Homes with Trump Signs

A Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) official has been suspended after issuing an instruction to disaster relief workers to avoid homes displaying support for Donald Trump. The incident occurred during relief efforts in Lake Placid, Florida, following the devastation of Hurricane Milton, which made landfall on October 10 and caused an estimated $34 billion in damage and claimed at least 14 lives[1][3].

The FEMA supervisor, identified as Marn’i Washington, sent a “best practices” memo instructing workers to “avoid homes advertising Trump” as they canvassed the affected areas. This directive resulted in at least 20 homes with Trump signs or flags being ignored between late October and early November, preventing the residents from qualifying for the agency’s aid scheme[2][4].

Images and internal messages obtained by The Daily Wire showed that workers entered notes into FEMA’s tracking system, such as “Trump sign no entry per leadership,” after skipping these homes. The agency has since removed the employee from their role and is conducting an investigation into the matter[1][3].

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has directed state officials to investigate the incident, describing it as “targeted discrimination” by the federal government. DeSantis stated on the platform X that he has ordered the Division of Emergency Management to probe the federal government’s actions and expressed optimism that “partisan bureaucrats” would be fired over this incident[1][2].

FEMA has expressed deep disturbance over the employee’s actions and emphasized that the agency helps all survivors regardless of their political preferences. A new team has been deployed to the area to ensure that all affected residents are reached and provided with necessary assistance[3][4][5].