On 11/19/2024, Congressional lawmakers grilled Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator Deanne Criswell on Tuesday about reports of political discrimination against homes with Trump signs during hurricane disaster response efforts this fall.
Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) pressed FEMA Administrator Criswell on why she has not talked to the 13 people on the FEMA text thread that directed workers to bypass pro-Trump homes.
Rep. Jordan: “There are 13 people on this text thread. Have you talked to these individuals?”
Administrator Criswell: “This is under investigation.”
Rep. Jordan: “That’s not what I asked. I know that. We know how investigation work inside agencies. It takes forever… Have you personally talked to these people?”
Administrator Criswell: “I have not talked to them personally. I have a team that focuses on this investigation.”
Rep. Jordan: “This mindset in the government that conservatives are deplorable… that’s what this sounds like. This text message reminds us of that mentality.”
FEMA administrator faces tough questions on Capitol Hill after report of anti-Trump bias
Administrator Criswell said the employee was fired after she is said to have sent a text message to workers that said “to avoid homes advertising Trump” and skipped 20 homes. Criswell also said that the evidence uncovered so far showed that the employee’s actions were an isolated incident. But several House Republicans at the hearing said the fired employee has made multiple media appearances when she stated that she was following orders.
“She said it’s common practice? You said it’s reprehensible and isolated. Both statements can’t be true. So someone’s not giving us the facts. And I’m kind of trying to figure out who’s not telling the truth,” said Rep. Jim Jordan, (R-OH). Criswell said the incident was a clear violation of FEMA’s core values and encouraged the agency’s inspector general to review whether the former employee was acting alone.
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Chairman Jordan Grills FEMA on Avoiding Trump Sign Homes: Have you talked to 13 people on this text?