FEMA Administrator Criswell testifies before Congress
Fox News senior congressional correspondent Chad Pergram has the latest on FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell’s appearance before Congress to address allegations of bias against Trump supporters from members of her agency.
FEMA Director Deanne Criswell vowed to request an inspector general investigation into orders that FEMA employees avoid homes of Trump supporters during relief efforts for Hurricane Milton.
Criswell made the commitment during her testimony before the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee on Tuesday. Criswell has insisted that orders to avoid pro-Trump homes originated from a lone employee and were not part of a wider directive.
Committee Chairman Scott Perry, R-Pa., asked Criswell whether FEMA’s ongoing internal investigation included officials above Marn’i Washington, the employee confirmed to have issued the order.
“The investigation includes those that were deployed in this particular incident, and we have found no evidence that there is anything beyond this one employee’s specific direction,” Criswell said.
FEMA Director Deanne Criswell confirmed she will request an IG investigation into an order to avoid pro-Trump homes during disaster relief. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)
“Why shouldn’t this be an independent investigation by at least somebody like the [inspector general]?” Perry pressed.
“The actions that this employee took are unacceptable–,” Criswell said before getting cut off.
“I know that, you know that,” Perry interjected.
FEMA OFFICIAL SAID TO AVOID HOMES WITH TRUMP SIGNS: ‘TO SAY I WAS SURPRISED WOULD BE A LIE’
“And I would welcome an investigation by the IG,” Criswell said.
“But you haven’t requested – will you request one?” Perry asked.
“I will request one,” Criswell confirmed.
Fired FEMA supervisor Marn’i Washington alleged to Fox News Channel this week that she is being scapegoated by the agency for its policy to avoid approaching Florida homes displaying signs for President-elect Donald Trump. (Fox News Channel)
Criswell’s claims contradict Washington, who asserts that she is being scapegoated by the agency for a wider policy of avoiding pro-Trump homes in the wake of Hurricanes Helene and Milton.
Washington emphasized to Fox News that FEMA prioritizes “avoidance” and “de-escalation” in situations where some employees may feel unsafe, and that is not necessarily politically targeted at Trump supporters. This could include other situations, like urban areas where there are unleashed dogs, she said.
Washington told Fox News’ Trace Gallagher that discriminating against people explicitly because of political leanings would violate the Hatch Act, but said “unfortunately, again, the passionate supporters for Trump, some of them were a little bit violent.”