{"id":2369149,"date":"2024-11-14T19:31:54","date_gmt":"2024-11-15T00:31:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/fema-officials-sued-for-discrimination-against-trump-supporters-washington-examiner\/"},"modified":"2024-11-14T19:33:24","modified_gmt":"2024-11-15T00:33:24","slug":"fema-officials-sued-for-discrimination-against-trump-supporters-washington-examiner","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/fema-officials-sued-for-discrimination-against-trump-supporters-washington-examiner\/","title":{"rendered":"FEMA officials sued for discrimination against Trump supporters &#8211; Washington Examiner"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"float:left\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">22<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Ffema-officials-sued-for-discrimination-against-trump-supporters-washington-examiner%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2369149&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>The state of Florida has initiated a lawsuit against\u200d two officials from \u2062the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for alleged discrimination against properties displaying pro-Trump signs during hurricane disaster relief operations. Attorney General Ashley Moody \u200cclaims \u2064that at least 20 homes were overlooked as FEMA workers were instructed to avoid homes associated with\u2063 Trump supporters. The lawsuit specifically names former FEMA Supervisor Marn\u2019i Washington, who indicated \u200cthat the decision to avoid these\u200b homes was encouraged by superiors. The other defendant is\u200d FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell, who will face questioning by Congress regarding\u2064 the allegations.<\/p>\n<p>Moody views the\u2062 lawsuit\u200b as a means to ensure fair assistance for all\u200b hurricane victims, regardless of political beliefs, emphasizing the importance of accountability in emergency response. Concurrently, a group of Republican legislators \u2064has \u2062also been demanding explanations from FEMA and highlighting the supposed political bias \u200cin aid distribution.<\/p>\n<p>FEMA employees, including Washington, have defended \u2063their actions by \u2063claiming that the avoidance policy was meant to protect teams\u2063 from hostile interactions, but she feels unfairly \u200bblamed for the\u2063 situation. \u200dThe lawsuit seeks punitive \u2062damages for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/amid-mounting-opposition-democrats-move-forward-on-stalled-justice-dept-nominee\/\" title=\"Amid Mounting Opposition, Democrats Move Forward on Stalled Justice Dept. Nominee\">civil rights violations<\/a> against those who were \u2064denied assistance.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Florida sues FEMA officials for discrimination against Trump supporters<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_1878835\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/florida\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">Florida<\/a> Attorney General Ashley Moody filed a lawsuit against two <a href=\"http:\/\/washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/fema\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">Federal Emergency Management Agency<\/a> officials for alleged discriminatory practices, which resulted in at least 20 homes displaying pro-Trump signs being skipped during hurricane <a href=\"http:\/\/washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/natural-disasters\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">disaster<\/a> relief canvassing.<\/p>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>Former FEMA Supervisor Marn&rsquo;i Washington, one of the defendants in the suit, advised her team to &ldquo;avoid&rdquo; Florida homes &ldquo;advertising Trump.&rdquo; In her <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/white-house\/3225155\/fema-supervisor-who-told-team-to-avoid-homes-with-trump-signs-speaks-out\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">first interview<\/a> after the fallout, which is cited in the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/white-house\/3225155\/fema-supervisor-who-told-team-to-avoid-homes-with-trump-signs-speaks-out\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">lawsuit<\/a>, she told the Washington Examiner this guidance was encouraged and directed by her superiors and this policy was not exclusive to her teams.<\/p>\n<p>The other defendant is FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell, who will be questioned by the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee at a Tuesday hearing on Capitol Hill. The lawsuit seeks punitive damages against both defendants for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/local-sheriff-ousts-incumbent-republican-in-mississippi-us-house-primary-runoff\/\" title=\"Local Sheriff Ousts Incumbent Republican in Mississippi US House Primary Runoff\">alleged civil rights violations<\/a> against hurricane victims who were unable to receive the assistance for which they may have qualified.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Republicans demand answers and accountability<\/h2>\n<p>&ldquo;Hurricane season is not over, and the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/victory-for-social-media-users-everywhere-shapiro-daily-wire-cleared-of-frivolous-charges-over-tweet\/\" title=\"\u2018Victory For Social Media Users Everywhere\u2019: Shapiro, Daily Wire Cleared Of \u2018Frivolous\u2019 Charges Over Tweet\">federal agency responsible<\/a> for emergency response is now accused of withholding aid from Florida storm victims based on political affiliation,&rdquo; Moody said. &ldquo;This lawsuit is a step toward accountability and ensuring that emergency assistance is provided fairly to all Americans, regardless of their political views.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Moody&rsquo;s lawsuit comes on the same day that scores of Republicans signed off on letters demanding answers and accountability from Criswell and FEMA on the &ldquo;discriminatory guidance&rdquo; to avoid houses with pro-Trump signs displayed.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/house\/3229767\/committee-demands-briefing-before-fema-answers-for-failure\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">One letter<\/a>, led by Rep. Sam Graves (R-MO), chairman of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, and Rep. Scott Perry (R-PA) and signed by all 35 Republican members of the committee, demands FEMA prepare a briefing on the matter before the Nov. 19 hearing, at which Criswell will have to answer for her &ldquo;failure of leadership.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/house\/3229689\/republicans-demanding-answers-fema-bias-trump-supporters\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">Another letter<\/a>, led by Rep. Vern Buchanan (R-FL) and signed by 55 current and former House Republicans, demands FEMA provide documents and information on its investigation of the matter, as well as what steps are being taken to prevent future discrimination and to help residents who were skipped during disaster relief due to their political affiliation.<\/p>\n<p>Rep. Carlos Gimenez (R-FL), who serves as a member of the Homeland Security Committee, which oversees FEMA, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/investigations\/3229601\/two-explanations-emerge-fema-workers-avoiding-pro-trump-houses\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">told<\/a> the <em>Washington Examiner<\/em> on Wednesday, &ldquo;It&rsquo;s reprehensible how the Biden administration weaponized FEMA to purposely deny Trump-supporting Americans critical aid and assistance during a natural disaster.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>He added, &ldquo;We must hold those responsible accountable &amp; ensure those impacted receive the assistance they are rightfully entitled to.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">&lsquo;Scapegoat&rsquo;: FEMA employees speak out<\/h2>\n<p>In her interview with the <em>Washington Examiner<\/em>, Washington said the &ldquo;avoidance&rdquo; policy is meant &ldquo;to keep the team safe&rdquo; following hostile encounters with property owners, which she said &ldquo;just so happened&rdquo; to be at houses with pro-Trump signs. She said FEMA made her a &ldquo;scapegoat&rdquo; and demanded it <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\">release incident reports showing<\/a> where the hostilities took place.<\/p>\n<p>The <em>Washington Examiner <\/em>filed a Freedom of Information Act request with the Department of Homeland Security to access these reports and obtained communications confirming Washington was supported and encouraged by her superiors to avoid certain streets deemed hostile.<\/p>\n<p>Washington said, &ldquo;I agree with the whistleblowers&rdquo; who leaked her guidance. <\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;They are telling you the truth,&rdquo; she said but argued the real issue is FEMA employees are not given the resources and protection they need to provide help to every household.<\/p>\n<p>Two additional FEMA sources <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/investigations\/3229601\/two-explanations-emerge-fema-workers-avoiding-pro-trump-houses\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">corroborated<\/a> her claim that FEMA employees faced numerous threats during disaster recovery, resulting in help having to be pared back to varying extents.<\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;There may be a lot of people that felt the way [Washington] felt, but I don&rsquo;t think anyone else out there was stupid enough to put it in writing,&rdquo; one senior FEMA official told the <em>Washington Examiner.<\/em><\/p>\n<p>The <em>Washington Examiner<\/em> reached out to Moody for comment.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p> <script data-cfasync=\"false\" src=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/cdn-cgi\/scripts\/5c5dd728\/cloudflare-static\/email-decode.min.js\"><\/script><script>!function(){var g=window;g.googletag=g.googletag||{},g.googletag.cmd=g.googletag.cmd||[],g.googletag.cmd.push(function(){g.googletag.pubads().setTargeting(\"has-featured-video\",\"true\")})}();<\/script><script>var _bp=_bp||[];_bp.push({\"div\":\"Brid_1878835\",\"obj\":{\"id\":\"27789\",\"width\":\"1280\",\"height\":\"720\",\"stickyDirection\":\"below\",\"video\":\"1878835\"}});<\/script><script defer src=\"https:\/\/services.brid.tv\/player\/build\/brid.min.js\"><\/script><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Florida sues FEMA for discrimination against Trump supporters<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2670,"featured_media":2369150,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/trump-vance-fema-disaster.webp","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[538],"tags":[5102,18818,4585,34969],"class_list":["post-2369149","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-washington-examiner","tag-discrimination","tag-fema","tag-lawsuit","tag-trump-supporters"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/trump-vance-fema-disaster.webp","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2369149","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2670"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2369149"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2369149\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2369153,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2369149\/revisions\/2369153"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2369150"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2369149"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2369149"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2369149"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}