Official Claims FEMA is Scapegoating Her for Refusing to Help Trump Supporters

The FEMA supervisor who was dismissed by FEMA alleges that FEMA is using her as a scapegoat. Marn'i Washington was let go after directing relief workers to avoid contacting Florida homeowners with Trump signs outside their homes.

On Wednesday, Washington revealed to "Planet Chronicle @ Night" that the agency is blaming her for not catering to Trump supporters, which she claims was a directive from her superiors.

Washington stated, "I am the person who took notes from my superiors and my notes in Microsoft Teams chat were exposed by their search capacity team. Why is this happening to me?"

FEMA fired Washington after a backlash over her directive to disaster relief workers in Lake Placid, Florida, following Hurricane Milton, to steer clear of homes displaying "Trump" signs.

According to The Daily Wire, which obtained internal messages from Washington, government employees claimed that at least 20 homes with Trump signs or flags were bypassed from the end of October to November due to "best practices" guidance from the official.

Over the weekend, Deanne Criswell, FEMA's administrator on employee misconduct, confirmed to Planet Chronicle Digital that the supervisor was fired and that her actions were "reprehensible."

Another FEMA spokesperson stated that Washington's actions were a unique occurrence.

Washington maintained that the statement was not accurate. In reply to Planet Chronicle host Trace Gallagher's inquiry, "So you're saying these orders originated from someone higher up?," she affirmed, "Yes."

Washington explained that the Florida team had been avoiding Trump voters' homes prior to her work there, as it was part of the community trend based on hostile political encounters.

Washington was labeled as the "scapegoat" because Gallagher was caught and they could attribute the scandal to her.

"But I'm just following orders from my superiors."

The host inquired if the previous FEMA employee created any of the guidelines on the "best practices" list she distributed to her subordinates, which contained a directive to steer clear of homes displaying Trump banners.

Washington denied any involvement in the instruction being wider agency policy. When asked how she plans to prove it, she stated that she had called on other FEMA employees to "discuss our avoidance policies, our de-escalation policies."

She clarified that the policies are not aimed at targeting Trump supporters but at ensuring the safety and comfort of FEMA employees in all situations.

"While the Trump campaign signage may be the standout feature, we must consider the comfort level of individuals in different communities and cultures. Similarly, if someone on the team is comfortable with loose dogs, but another person is not, we cannot visit that home due to safety concerns."

This report was contributed to by Michael Dorgan, Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, and Peter Pinedo of Planet Chronicle Digital.