DHS terminates three FEMA employees following report of political bias in disaster response

<p>The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) terminated three FEMA employees on Thursday after an inspector general report indicated that FEMA crews had neglected to service homes displaying pro-Trump signs following Hurricane Milton.</p><p>DHS stated that these firings were in addition to previous dismissals that occurred after the inspector general's report was released last week. An investigation conducted by FEMA's Office of Professional Responsibility concluded that the three employees did not adhere to FEMA's standards of conduct.</p><p>DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin remarked, "Our job is to protect the American people, regardless of their political beliefs. This is especially important when it comes to disaster relief, where every second counts and lives are on the line. We’ve made sure that everyone responsible for this incident has been punished, and we’ll make sure that nothing like this ever happens again."</p><p>FEMA Administrator Cameron Hamilton added, "Thanks to President Trump, FEMA has been empowered to hold accountable those who are responsible and has changed how it conducts survivor outreach to ensure Americans are treated fairly and assistance is driven by need. Under my watch, all parties involved in this situation have been held accountable. Political bias has no room in public service."</p><p>The recent firings follow the termination of FEMA supervisor Marn’i Washington, who was dismissed for directing personnel to avoid homes with Trump signage in Lake Placid, Florida, in 2024. Washington has defended her actions, stating that she aimed to protect workers in a politically charged environment.</p><p>In an interview with the Washington Post, Washington expressed, "I had never seen people so passionate during that political season, and what we were experiencing was not just conspiracy theories. People were physically charging at us with aggressive postures and accusations."</p><p>She further explained, "People calling people on the phone saying FEMA was here. They would beat us to the fence and yell: ‘Don’t come here, you are part of Biden; we know what Biden is doing. You are taking our money and giving it to immigrants.’ ‘Drain the swamp’ was a common term."</p><p>Washington claimed that her teams only avoided homes that exhibited both a Trump sign and additional signs of hostility, such as signs referencing firearms.</p>