Florida Governor and Vice President Clash Over Storm Response

As a major storm approaches the United States, tensions have escalated between Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and Vice President Kamala Harris over the state’s storm preparations. Governor DeSantis has accused the Vice President of politicizing the storm response efforts, following reports that Harris’ calls went unanswered by the governor’s office. “We’ve been on emergency footing around the clock,” DeSantis told Fox News, emphasizing his focus on Florida’s needs over political interactions with Harris.

DeSantis questioned Harris’ sudden interest in Florida’s hurricane response, implying it coincided with her presidential campaign activities. “Why all of a sudden is she trying to parachute in and inject herself?” he stated. Despite this, in 2022, Harris visited South Florida to announce federal aid for weather preparedness, suggesting past involvement in the region.

Meanwhile, Vice President Harris defended her actions, declaring her bipartisan cooperation on disaster response. She expressed disappointment over what she perceives as political gamesmanship by DeSantis. “Moments of crisis should be the time leaders put politics aside,” she told reporters.

The back-and-forth surfaces as the Tampa area braces for what could be the most severe storm in a century. The ongoing recovery from Hurricane Helene further complicates matters. DeSantis has been in contact with FEMA director Deanne Criswell, and President Biden had engaged both Governor DeSantis and Tampa Mayor Jane Castor on the state’s preparedness and recovery actions.

This dispute adds to broader narratives of partisanship affecting disaster response, with claims from some Republicans that federal aid favors certain political locales. FEMA and White House officials have denied these claims. White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre reaffirmed the federal response commitment and highlighted the challenges posed by misinformation amid crises.