Republican lawmakers on Tuesday grilled FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell on her company’s dealing with of hurricane restoration efforts, together with about allegations of political bias.
The 2 Home hearings over seven hours got here after FEMA supervisor Marn’i Washington was fired after allegedly directing staff to keep away from properties with President-elect Donald Trump marketing campaign indicators.
Criswell repeatedly informed lawmakers the incident was an remoted act and that FEMA is continuous its investigation, with no further incidents discovered past Washington’s actions.
Nevertheless, after being requested to launch an inspector basic investigation, Criswell mentioned she had formally requested further help.
Within the aftermath of Washington’s firing, an unidentified FEMA worker claimed the directive got here from a superior. Criswell informed lawmakers that, though her company has questioned different personnel, no proof has emerged to corroborate the declare.
The brand of the Federal Emergency Administration Company (FEMA) is seen at its headquarters, Aug. 27, 2011, in Washington, D.C.
Mandel Ngan/AFP through Getty Photographs
In the course of the Home Oversight Committee listening to, GOP Rep. Jim Jordan of Ohio requested Criswell if Washington was mendacity when she informed journalist Roland Martin on #RolandMartinUnfiltered that it was frequent apply to keep away from “politically hostile” properties.
Jordan famous that Criswell had said that the actions have been “reprehensible” and “remoted.”
“You mentioned it is reprehensible and remoted. Each statements cannot be true, so somebody’s not giving us the info, and I am attempting to determine who’s not telling the reality.” Jordan mentioned.
“The actions that Miss Washington took have been unacceptable,” Criswell responded.
With regard to Washington’s reported declare that her directive was for security causes, Criswell mentioned security coaching for FEMA staff is all about reacting to perceived threats. “By no means has it been directed to be proactive or to keep away from a state of affairs.”
Jordan cited one other nameless FEMA worker who alleged that Washington acquired “very clear steering from her supervisors.” Requested if that particular person was additionally mendacity, Criswell maintained the matter was below investigation.
“FEMA’s mission is to assist all folks,” Criswell said.
Rep. Jim Jordan shares textual content message from FEMA responders throughout Home Oversight Committee listening to on Tuesday.
GOP Oversight
Throughout Jordan’s questioning, he confirmed textual content messages of FEMA staff being informed to implement finest practices whereas reaching out to victims. The options included avoiding high-salt diets and occasional, not going anyplace alone, and “keep away from properties promoting Trump.”
“We do have the textual content message itself, however you are still saying, Miss Washington and this different particular person aren’t telling the reality?” Jordan pressed.
“Although it mentioned all these sensible issues, the half about avoiding Trump properties, that is not a finest apply, that is not commonplace, is that what you are saying?” Jordan requested.
“That’s nowhere in our coverage,” Criswell refuted.
Criswell informed lawmakers she had requested an inspector basic investigation into the incident and reassured them there could be no cover-up or obstruction.
When requested if she had spoken to the 13 folks included on the textual content message, Criswell mentioned she had not.
“That is a part of a mindset that is in authorities. That is the scary half, as a result of I believe it is broader,” Jordan mentioned.
The FEMA administrator informed lawmakers that the incident occurred in late October, and got here to her consideration on Nov. 7, she requested further data and by Nov. 9, she really useful Washington’s termination.
When pressed if the incident was half of a bigger subject of political bias at FEMA, she informed lawmakers, “I don’t imagine there’s a widespread cultural drawback.”
Home Oversight Chairman James Comer reported {that a} FEMA contractor in Georgia allegedly informed an aged veteran to take away Trump marketing campaign supplies or threat dropping help. The household complied out of concern, Comer mentioned, including, “FEMA has not returned to their residence.”
The highest Democrat on the committee, Rep. Jamie Raskin, requested extra details about the incident.
Democratic Rep. Melanie Stansbury of New Mexico, a former authorities worker of the Workplace of Administration and Finances, expressed disbelief about her GOP colleagues, saying, “I simply discover it weird that we’re even having this listening to.”
Whereas acknowledging that Washington’s actions have been “completely unacceptable,” she identified that the president-elect had “intentionally and outspokenly withheld help from his political rivals — from the state of California, from Puerto Rico, from communities that he knew didn’t vote for him.”
