FEMA Director Testifies on Trump Supporter Incident

FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell faced intense scrutiny from House Republicans regarding the agency's response to Hurricane Milton, specifically a directive from a now-fired employee, Marn’i Washington, to skip homes displaying Trump campaign signage. Criswell testified that the directive was an isolated incident involving only Washington, who has claimed she was scapegoated for broader agency issues. Despite Republican skepticism suggesting a potential culture of political bias within FEMA, Criswell affirmed that the agency's internal investigation would clarify the matter. She confirmed that around 20 homes were bypassed due to Washington's guidance and emphasized that such actions were unacceptable and not indicative of FEMA's overall culture. Washington's media appearances have fueled concerns that the issue may be more widespread, prompting calls for further investigation. Criswell's statements highlight the agency's commitment to impartial disaster response amid political controversies.