The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is facing intense backlash after a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) investigation found the agency discriminated against Trump supporters during its response to Hurricane Helene in North Carolina. The revelations come at a politically sensitive time, as FEMA’s conduct is now central to the messaging war in the state’s 2026 U.S. Senate race.
The DHS report, released in October, outlined troubling incidents where FEMA disaster teams allegedly avoided providing aid to homes displaying pro-Trump signs or conservative slogans. These allegations are supported by evidence that FEMA violated the Privacy Act of 1974 and unfairly treated individuals based on political beliefs. The internal review cited systemic failures in FEMA’s policy and enforcement structure, tracing similar patterns back to Hurricane Ida in 2021.
The issue hits especially hard in North Carolina, which was ravaged by Hurricane Helene in September 2024. The storm made landfall in Florida as a Category 4 but caused catastrophic damage in the Carolinas, killing 108 people in North Carolina alone and racking up between $60 and $80 billion in damages statewide.
DHS cited specific incidents in North Carolina where FEMA teams ignored certain residents. One case involved a homeowner with a sign reading “NRA, we do our part,” while another FEMA note warned about “Republicans on the grounds with guns.” These shocking disclosures have fueled outrage across the political spectrum.
The disaster response has since become a campaign flashpoint. Democrat Roy Cooper’s camp has taken aim at GOP opponent Michael Whatley’s former role in the Trump administration’s hurricane recovery operations. Meanwhile, Whatley has blasted Cooper’s North Carolina Office of Recovery and Resiliency for inefficiencies after Hurricanes Matthew and Florence.
Despite distributing over $4.5 billion in aid—including more than $2 billion in public infrastructure funding and $555 million in individual assistance—FEMA now faces a growing credibility crisis. As the 2026 election approaches, its conduct in North Carolina is likely to remain under a harsh spotlight.
