A workplace controversy at the Federal Emergency Management Agency exposes internal conflicts over disaster relief protocols and political bias allegations.
According to Fox News, former FEMA supervisor Marn'i Washington, who was terminated for instructing staff to bypass homes with Trump signs during hurricane relief efforts in Florida, alleges that she was following established agency practices rather than acting independently.
Washington appeared on "Fox News @ Night" to defend her actions, stating that the directive to avoid Trump supporters' homes was part of broader company policies designed to protect FEMA workers. She explained that these protocols were already in place before her involvement and were based on previous hostile encounters experienced by relief workers.
FEMA administrator Deanne Criswell addressed the controversy by confirming Washington's termination and condemning her actions. The agency's official stance characterized the incident as isolated, with a spokesperson emphasizing that such discriminatory practices were not part of FEMA's standard operating procedures.
The controversy initially came to light through internal messages obtained by The Daily Wire, which revealed that approximately 20 homes displaying Trump signs or flags were deliberately skipped during relief efforts in Lake Placid, Florida, following Hurricane Milton. These operations took place from late October into November.
Washington maintains that the practice of avoiding certain homes was part of a larger safety protocol that extended beyond political considerations. She emphasized that similar precautions were taken in various situations where workers felt unsafe or uncomfortable.
Washington shared her perspective on being singled out for punishment, stating the following to Fox News host Trace Gallagher:
Why is this coming down on me? I am the person that jotted down the notes from my superiors and my notation in [Microsoft] Teams chat was exposed from their search capacity team.
The former supervisor is actively seeking support from other FEMA employees to corroborate her claims about the agency's avoidance policies. She has called on colleagues to come forward and discuss what she describes as established de-escalation protocols.
Washington elaborated on the broader scope of these safety measures, explaining that they apply to various situations beyond political considerations. She maintains that similar protocols exist for situations involving cultural differences, loose dogs, or any circumstances that might make FEMA employees feel unsafe.
The incident occurred during relief efforts following Hurricane Milton in Lake Placid, Florida, where Washington served as a supervisor for disaster assessment teams. The controversy centers on her documented instructions to relief workers regarding homes with political signage.
Washington defended her actions by contextualizing them within what she claims was an existing organizational culture. She asserts that teams were already practicing selective avoidance based on community trends and previous hostile encounters, rather than targeting specific political affiliations.
FEMA's position remains firm that such discriminatory practices are not part of their official policy, with administrator Criswell describing Washington's actions as "reprehensible." This characterization directly contradicts Washington's assertion that she was merely documenting and implementing existing protocols.
A former FEMA supervisor faces termination after instructing staff to avoid providing hurricane relief services to homes displaying Trump support in Lake Placid, Florida. The incident has sparked a broader discussion about potential political discrimination in federal emergency response efforts. The controversy centers around Marn'i Washington's claims that she was following established FEMA protocols rather than acting independently, while the agency maintains this was an isolated incident that goes against their mission of providing aid without discrimination.
