In a significant legal move, Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody has initiated legal proceedings against FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell and former FEMA supervisor Marn’i Washington. This lawsuit, filed on Wednesday, alleges that FEMA’s response to Hurricanes Helene and Milton involved civil rights violations, specifically targeting Floridians who support former President Donald Trump. The legal complaint alleges inequitable disaster relief efforts, a charge unanimously rejected by FEMA’s leadership. For details, see the full complaint.
The lawsuit calls upon the court to declare that the defendants conspired to infringe upon the civil rights of Trump-supporting Floridians, referring to the “deprivation” and “support or advocacy” clauses within 42 U.S.C. § 1985(3). In addition to declaratory relief, the lawsuit seeks both nominal and punitive damages.
In a press statement, Moody emphasized the urgency of addressing political discrimination within disaster response frameworks, noting that hurricane season poses ongoing risks. She stated, “I am taking swift legal action to find out how far this political discrimination reaches and to make sure all Americans who fall victim to devastating storms are served, regardless of their political affiliation.” This sentiment underscores the broader concern over political bias influencing public service delivery.
According to the allegations, Marn’i Washington had purportedly directed relief workers to bypass homes exhibiting Trump campaign signs and flags. This directive allegedly included bypassing at least 20 homes. Although Washington was subsequently terminated, FEMA’s response focused on condemning her actions as “reprehensible,” aligning with Administrator Criswell’s assertion that such conduct violates FEMA’s principles of serving individuals regardless of political backgrounds. Further details are available in FEMA’s official statement.
Governor Ron DeSantis has publicly supported the lawsuit, reiterating that any form of federal government discrimination against state residents based on their political preferences is unacceptable. His administration fully supports Moody’s legal efforts to address these serious allegations. Legal professionals may find the governor’s remarks crucial as the case unfolds, further explained in an official news release.
Conversely, Washington has defended her actions, claiming her team did provide resources to Trump supporters but that safety concerns warranted avoiding certain areas. She highlighted that threats and hostile political encounters necessitated the bypass, distancing her actions from political motivations. More context to this account is provided in her interview with the Washington Examiner.
The back-to-back hurricanes, Helene and Milton, struck the southeastern United States in late September and early October 2024. Combined, the storms resulted in more than 250 fatalities and inflicted billions in economic damage, as reported in current assessments.