Florida's Lawsuit Against FEMA for Alleged Discrimination

By Brad Brooks and Kanishka Singh
(Reuters) – Florida's attorney general announced a lawsuit against the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for allegedly discriminating against hurricane victims who supported President-elect Donald Trump.

Earlier this week, FEMA fired an employee who advised her survivor assistance team to avoid homes with Trump-supporting yard signs. The agency referred this matter for investigation to the Office of Special Counsel.

FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell stated, "this is a clear violation of FEMA's core values & principles to help people regardless of their political affiliation" when announcing the employee's termination.

The lawsuit claims that this discrimination occurred in the aftermath of Hurricanes Helene and Milton that hit Lake Placid, Florida. Helene impacted the state in September, followed by Milton in October.

Attorney General Ashley Moody expressed her concerns, stating, "The federal agency in charge of emergency response is embroiled in scandal – caught withholding aid from storm victims in Florida who support President Trump."

Marn'i Washington, the fired FEMA employee, and FEMA itself are named as defendants in the lawsuit. Washington claims she is being scapegoated, asserting that it is common practice for FEMA teams to avoid certain areas due to previous hostile interactions.

FEMA declined to comment on the pending litigation, nor did they respond to Washington's allegations. She articulated on journalist Roland Martin's YouTube show that the agency suggests she acted independently based on her political beliefs. "If you look at the record, there is what we call a community trend," Washington stated, noting that her team's experiences coincided with encounters in areas displaying Trump campaign signs.