FEMA director summoned to testify before House Oversight after staff instructed to steer clear of homes displaying Trump banners.

An investigation into the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has been launched by the House of Representatives Oversight Committee following the termination of an employee who instructed hurricane relief workers in Florida to avoid homes with Trump flags.

On Saturday, Rep. James Comer, R-Ky., the chairperson of the House Oversight and Accountability Committee, sent a letter to FEMA Director Deanne Criswell requesting her to appear at a hearing to address the agency's response to Hurricanes Helene and Milton.

In the letter, Comer stated that the hearing would allow members to examine recent reports that a FEMA official instructed relief workers to ignore homes affected by the hurricane that displayed campaign signs for President Trump.

He emphasized the importance of FEMA following its disaster relief mission in the aftermath of recent major disasters that affected people of all political backgrounds.

An investigation by the Oversight Committee was initiated following Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis' announcement on Friday of an investigation into the agency.

"The use of weapons by partisan activists in the federal bureaucracy is a reason why the Biden-Harris administration is coming to an end," DeSantis stated. "Under my orders, the Division of Emergency Management is conducting an investigation into the federal government's discrimination against Floridians who support Donald Trump."

"I am hopeful that the new leadership in D.C. will lead to the dismissal of these divisive bureaucrats."

After FEMA confirmed to Planet Chronicle Digital that an employee instructed aid workers not to provide relief to residents with Trump campaign signs, the Daily Wire was the first to report the investigations that were promptly launched.

"We are committed to assisting individuals before, during, and after disasters. The employee has been terminated, and the matter has been referred to the Office of Special Counsel. I will take all necessary steps to prevent such incidents from occurring in the future."

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On Friday, a FEMA spokesperson informed Planet Chronicle that they were "deeply troubled" by an employee's behavior and that it was a "one-time occurrence."

The spokesperson stated that FEMA assists all survivors, regardless of their political beliefs or affiliations.

"The employee who issued the guidance had no authority and was not directed to tell teams to avoid these homes. As a result, some people may not have been reached. The agency has helped more than 365,000 households impacted by both Hurricanes Helene and Milton in Florida and provided nearly $900 million in direct assistance to survivors."

"We are horrified that this happened, so we have taken extreme measures to rectify the situation and have made sure that it was resolved at all levels."

Planet Chronicle Digital has reached out to FEMA for comment.