Tennessee U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) sent a letter to Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator Deanne Criswell on Monday demanding accountability within the federal agency after it was reported that FEMA workers were advised to discriminate against Trump supporters who needed assistance after Hurricane Helene.
Earlier this month, The Daily Wire reported that a FEMA supervisor ordered workers to bypass the homes of Donald Trump’s supporters as they surveyed the damage caused by Hurricane Milton in Florida.
The supervisor, Marn’i Washington, was fired from the federal agency after the report; however, revealed after her firing that FEMA “always preaches avoidance first” of potentially “politically hostile” homes.
Washington also said there were similar orders for workers to bypass Trump supporters’ homes in North Carolina, despite FEMA’s assertion the incident was isolated to Florida.
Citing The Daily Wire’s reporting and Washington’s assertions after her firing from the federal agency, Blackburn expressed her “disgust” with FEMA, writing in Monday’s letter, “The American people are already highly mistrustful of the federal government, and these actions only confirm their worst fears.”
“This revelation is appalling and is a direct contradiction of FEMA’s core values and mission. FEMA’s most valuable asset is its reputation—which these recent examples of bias have critically harmed,” Blackburn added.
Blackburn expressed concern regarding other possible instances where FEMA practiced discrimination policies against Americans in need.
“This also raises questions about potential discrimination in other parts of the country affected by recent hurricanes, including Tennessee,” Blackburn said.
In Tennessee, Governor Bill Lee and Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti are actively investigating whether FEMA discriminated against Tennesseans affected by Hurricane Helene based on their political views.
Blackburn urged Criswell to “comply fully” with the investigation and do “everything” in her power to “regain the trust of the American people.”
“[A]ny individual who had knowledge of or has participated in any discrimination against an American based on their political affiliation should be held accountable and immediately fired,” Blackburn concluded. “I will not hesitate to use Congress’ powers of oversight and accountability should the need arise.”
Hurricane Helene claimed the lives of 17 Tennesseans and more than 130 lives across six states.
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Kaitlin Housler is a reporter at The Tennessee Star and The Star News Network. Follow Kaitlin on X / Twitter.
Photo “Deanne Criswell” by FEMA.
