The Daily Wire claims a Federal Emergency Management Agency staffer told employees to ignore tornado-stricken buildings if they had Trump signs
According to the Daily Wire, a supervisor for the US Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) instructed her team to intentionally disregard homes in Florida that displayed pro-Trump signs after a hurricane struck. Authorities told the media outlet they are conducting a “serious” investigation into the allegations, promising consequences for those responsible.
The National Hurricane Center described Hurricane Milton, a Category 3 storm, as “one of the most destructive hurricanes on record for west-central Florida.” The hurricane made landfall in mid-October, causing devastating tornadoes, heavy rainfall, and claiming 32 lives.
The Daily Wire, citing internal correspondence and anonymous employees, reported that FEMA Disaster Survivor Assistance crew leader Marn’i Washington gave verbal and written instructions to her team, recommending they “avoid homes advertising Trump.” This alleged guidance occurred while Washington was working in Florida’s Highlands County, and she reportedly did not provide any explanation for these directives.
The media outlet highlighted that the area in question is “deep-red,” with 70% of residents supporting Donald Trump in the November 5 presidential election.
Based on unnamed federal employees, the Daily Wire estimated that at least 20 homes with Trump signs or flags were skipped from late October to November, effectively denying them the opportunity to receive government assistance.
The publication, referencing photos of internal communications among team members, alleged that some personnel followed Washington’s orders. Several addresses were reportedly marked in an internal system with notes like “Trump sign no entry per leadership,” “per leadership no stop Trump flag,” “Trump sign,” and “Trump sign, no contact per leadership.”
One unnamed employee shared with the Daily Wire that it was “almost unbelievable to think that somebody in the federal government would think that’s okay.”
The article claimed that “by October 30, Washington had started walking back the instructions,” denying that any homes were skipped.
Following the publication of the story, a FEMA spokesperson contacted the Daily Wire, stating in an email that the agency was “horrified” by the employee’s alleged orders and that it has “taken extreme actions to correct this situation.” According to the media outlet, the official assured them that FEMA had “taken measures to remove the employee from their role.”
However, the article, citing anonymous employees, reported that Washington has not been punished but was simply transferred to another county in Florida.