FEMA head calls for Inspector General review of fired anti-Trump employee

The head of FEMA says the investigation continues into a former supervisor who told employees to avoid homes with Trump gear when responding to a hurricane. 

Administrator Deanne Criswell says she asked the inspector general to do a full review of the incident and is working with the office of special counsel to see if there was a Hatch Act violation, a law that ensures federal programs are administered in a nonpartisan fashion.

Deanne Criswell, FEMA Administrator: “This type of behavior and action will not be tolerated at FEMA, and we will hold all people accountable if they violate our standards of conduct.”

Criswell appeared before the House Oversight Committee Tuesday as lawmakers try to determine if there is a political bias within the agency. 

It all started after Hurricanes Helene and Milton when a FEMA employee wrote to 11 people whom they supervised, “avoid homes advertising Trump”. 

The employee was promptly fired. However, they spoke out to multiple news outlets and said they believed they were following orders. Administrator Criswell firmly denied the accusations. 

Deanne Criswell, FEMA Administrator: “I do not believe that this employee’s actions are indicative of any widespread cultural problems at FEMA. There is nothing in any of our policies, our training or information sent out to our field workers to avoid any home for whatever reason, especially not because of a political affiliation.” 

Republicans say this proves their concerns about political bias within bureaucratic agencies is legitimate. 

Rep. James Comer, R-Ky.: “Democrats claim President Trump is trying to politicize the civil service, but situations like the one at FEMA validate our concerns that it is already politicized.”

Democrats pointed to instances they said former President Trump provided or withheld aid based on the political leanings of the impacted area. 

Rep. Jamie Raskin, D-MD.: “President Trump all too often deliberately directed disaster aid based on the party politics of local leadership and past electoral performance, not the needs of the community and disaster survivor.” 

Raskin gave specific examples, including Trump denying aid to North Carolina’s Democratic governor and his delay in providing aid to wildfire victims in California.