FEMA employees may be subject to interviews by a House committee to clarify the order that led to the destruction of Trump supporters' homes.
The Homeland Security Committee expresses concern that Trump-backing households may be receiving reduced resources, personnel, and assistance.
The House Homeland Security Committee is requesting interviews with three FEMA employees over allegations of "systemic bias" against Trump supporters, following the dismissal of Marn'i Washington who instructed relief workers to avoid houses displaying support for President-elect Donald Trump during Hurricane Milton recovery efforts.
In a letter to FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell, Homeland Security Committee Chair Mark Green, R-Tenn., requests a meeting with three employees responsible for policy in Florida, where Washington was assigned. The employees are FEMA Region 4 Administrator Robert Samaan, Deputy Region 4 Administrator Robert Ashe, and Chad Hershey, the lead for FEMA's Disaster Survivor Assistance crew.
Washington has stated in recent comments, including to Planet Chronicle, that she is being unfairly blamed for following the orders of her superiors.
Reps. Dan Bishop, R-N.C., and Anthony D'Esposito, R-N.Y., who chair relevant Homeland Security subcommittees, are joined on the letter by Green.
"The lawmakers expressed their concern that if there is a systemic bias within FEMA against individuals who support President-elect Trump, households and neighborhoods that align with the Republican party may receive diminished levels of resources, manpower, and support, prolonging recovery following natural disasters."
Washington's order was condemned by Criswell as "reprehensible" and a "clear violation of FEMA's core values and principles," according to a statement he made after the Daily Wire first reported on the matter.
In an interview with Trace Gallagher on "Planet Chronicle @ Night" last week, Washington stated, "I'm just simply following orders again, as instructed by my superiors."
Washington stated that the community had been avoiding these homes due to hostile political encounters, which had become a trend.
FEMA is requested to schedule interviews with Hershey, Ashe, and Samaan by the end of this week, as per Green's letter. Additionally, a source familiar with the Homeland Security Committee has informed Planet Chronicle that another transcribed interview request on FEMA oversight will be made soon.
Green stated in a Planet Chronicle interview that if Washington is correct and the agency's recovery efforts involve discriminatory practices, the Committee will demand accountability from the highest levels.
FEMA prioritizes "avoidance" and "de-escalation" in situations where employees may feel unsafe, and this isn't necessarily politically targeted at Trump supporters, as Washington emphasized to Planet Chronicle. This could also apply to other situations, such as urban areas with unleashed dogs, she added.
Washington informed Gallagher that discriminating against individuals based on their political beliefs would be a violation of the Hatch Act, but lamented that some fervent Trump supporters had resorted to violence.
Despite facing a congressional grilling, Criswell will testify before the House Transportation & Infrastructure subcommittee at 10 a.m. EST and then before the House Oversight Committee at 2 p.m. EST.
Planet Chronicle' Trace Gallagher and Melissa Summers contributed to this report.
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