The House Oversight Committee announced that FEMA Commissioner Deanne Criswell will testify next week regarding controversial guidance allegedly given to FEMA relief workers in Florida to avoid homes displaying signs or flags supporting President-elect Donald Trump.
This guidance, reportedly issued by former FEMA supervisor Marn’i Washington, instructed workers in Lake Placid to “avoid homes advertising Trump,” a directive that has sparked significant backlash.
“FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell will be testifying before our committee next Tuesday. We look forward to hearing what she has to say about these allegations and more,” the House Oversight Committee posted on X.
The initial report by The Daily Wire revealed that Washington, who has since been terminated, claimed during an interview with Roland Martin that FEMA maintains a broader policy of avoiding “politically hostile” homes.
Washington asserted that her guidance was consistent with FEMA policy, rejecting suggestions that she acted independently.
“FEMA always preaches avoidance first and then de-escalation, so this is not isolated,” Washington said. “This is a colossal event of avoidance not just in the state of Florida, but you will find avoidance in the Carolinas.”
Oversight Committee Chair James Comer (R-KY) has requested that Criswell clarify FEMA’s official stance and address recent hurricane response efforts. Criswell’s testimony will likely shed light on FEMA’s internal policies and procedures in politically sensitive situations.
