FEMA violated Hatch Act by skipping Trump-supporting homes, DHS report finds

A Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General report has confirmed that Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) personnel violated the Hatch Act during the Hurricane Milton disaster response. The investigation found that at least 11 homes in Florida were bypassed by Disaster Survivor Assistance teams because they displayed signs or flags supporting Donald Trump.

The report stated that these actions “eroded public trust in FEMA’s ability to treat everyone impartially, offer unbiased and consistent assistance, and ensure equal access to resources and tools.” The failures were attributed to deficiencies in training, documentation, and oversight, noting that crews did not receive adequate ethics or Hatch Act training prior to deployment.

Marn’i Washington, a FEMA supervisor, was identified as having instructed relief workers to avoid homes advertising Trump support. While Washington claimed her instructions were based on safety concerns regarding potentially hostile environments, she was charged with two Hatch Act violations for using official authority to interfere with an election and engaging in political activity while on duty.