Outrage erupted over allegations that Marn’i Washington, a FEMA supervisor, instructed Florida relief workers to avoid homes displaying Trump signs in the wake of Hurricane Milton. According to his reports The Daily WireWashington issued this directive verbally on October 22, 2024, and reiterated it on October 27 in a group chat with her team in Lake Placid, Florida. The guidance affected at least 20 homes in pro-Trump areas, sparking a backlash, an investigation and questions about FEMA’s impartiality.

‘Avoid Homes Advertising Trump’: FEMA directive sparks outrage

According to several FEMA employees, Washington’s guidance was straightforward: “avoid homes that advertise Trump.” This instruction was documented in the FEMA system with notes such as “Trump sign no entry per drive” and “Trump sign, no contact per drive.” Aid workers reportedly complied with those orders from late October to early November, skipping homes in Highlands County, a stronghold of Trump supporters. A FEMA worker described the area as “very pro-Trump” and noted that many of these homes were hit hard by the hurricane, suffering power outages, flooding and structural damage.

One FEMA employee expressed his disbelief, stating, “I volunteered to help disaster victims, not discriminate against them.” They added, “It’s almost unbelievable that anyone in the federal government would think that’s okay.” Another employee, disturbed by the instructions, commented, “If they had breakdowns or lost power for more than thirty-six hours, it was my job to inform them of the benefits they were entitled to.”

A whistleblower’s complaint prompts FEMA’s response

The directive sparked an immediate pushback from FEMA staff, with one worker filing a formal complaint about the ad with the Department of Homeland Security. The complaint, obtained by The Daily Wireclaims that Washington’s orders were a violation of FEMA’s mission and ethics, warning that the incident could “undermine the integrity of our agency and create a hostile work environment.” The complaint also said: “These actions threaten the very democracy of our country.”

By early November, FEMA began its investigation. FEMA Supervisor Chad Hershey confirmed that The Daily Wire that the agency was “taking action” and reviewing guidance issued by Washington. In an official statement, a FEMA spokesman called the situation “deeply troubling” and “appalling,” saying, “Helping people is what we do best.” The agency promised it would “take extreme measures to correct this situation and ensure it never happens again.” FEMA also said Washington’s directive was unauthorized and out of alignment with the agency’s mission.

Political reactions and demands for responsibility

Washington’s directive quickly escalated into a political flashpoint. Gov. Ron DeSantis criticized the order, describing it as an example of “blatant weaponization of government by partisan activists.” DeSantis announced that Florida’s Division of Emergency Management would launch an independent investigation, calling Washington’s actions “un-American” and warning against political bias in federal agencies.

FEMA employees themselves have expressed frustration with the guidance. “It was awful,” said one team member, adding, “We came to Florida to help people in need, no matter who they voted for. Everyone deserves the same level of support.” Another team member described Washington’s actions as a betrayal of FEMA’s core mission, saying, “These actions were taken against people at their most vulnerable.”

Washington status and FEMA’s next steps

Following the incident, FEMA took immediate action to address public concern, confirming that Washington is “no longer working in the state of Florida or on any FEMA operation at this time” while the investigation is ongoing. As of November 8, FEMA reported that Washington had been reassigned, although she had yet to face any formal punishment other than her removal from field operations.

In the meantime, the agency is conducting outreach to affected residents who may have missed out on opportunities for help because of Washington’s guidance. FEMA said it helped more than 365,000 Florida households this hurricane season, distributing nearly $900 million in aid.

This is a developing story. If you have any advice or have worked under the directive and would like to share your story, please email [email protected]