Former Official Comments On Her Firing
In a recent interview, former FEMA supervisor Marn’i Washington revealed that her dismissal was tied to a broader, contentious directive that reportedly advised FEMA workers to avoid homes displaying Trump signs or flags.
Washington stated that this guidance wasn’t a personal decision but rather a “community trend” within FEMA, allegedly aimed at safeguarding workers from hostile interactions in politically charged areas. According to her, senior leadership within FEMA was aware of this practice, which was designed to prioritize worker safety amid rising tensions in some communities.
Exclusive: Fired FEMA Worker Speaks, Trump Blocks Judicial Appointments, Processing Election PTSD https://t.co/HbxLPBsUoV
— rolandsmartin (@rolandsmartin) November 12, 2024
During her deployment in Florida, Washington told host Roland Martin that incidents of hostility toward FEMA teams were not isolated to her area but were recurring in regions like the Carolinas as well. She described the situation as part of an overarching approach within FEMA, which emphasizes “avoidance first and then de-escalation” in cases where safety could be at risk.
“If you ask the [disaster survivor assistance] crew leads and specialists what they are experiencing in the field, they will tell you,” Washington said, insisting that the organization has documented numerous similar encounters. Despite this, Washington asserted, FEMA chose to fire her, suggesting it was an attempt to signal allegiance to Trump to avoid political backlash.
Denying FEMA benefits to President Trump’s supporters is weaponization of the worst kind.
There needs to be full accountability.
— Tom Cotton (@TomCottonAR) November 12, 2024
Washington, who described herself as “non-partisan,” emphasized that FEMA leadership was well aware of the trend of avoidance due to political hostility, a stance reportedly validated by reports from other FEMA field teams. In her interview, she said, “FEMA is very well aware of the incidents that take place…instead of just saying, ‘Hey, this is how we’re going to mitigate it, to protect our people,’ they decided to fire me.”
This revelation has prompted backlash from political leaders. Senator Tom Cotton (R-AR) called the allegations an alarming “weaponization of the worst kind” and demanded a full investigation into FEMA’s conduct. Representative Anna Paulina Luna (R-FL) expressed deep concern, noting the critical need for FEMA assistance in hurricane-ravaged areas of Florida. “It is unacceptable for FEMA to withhold life-saving assistance based solely on one’s political beliefs,” she posted, stressing that impacted communities deserve an unbiased response from FEMA.
It is unacceptable for FEMA to withhold life-saving assistance based solely on one’s political beliefs. Hurricanes severely impacted Pinellas County, and lives were tragically lost. This situation is far from over—we will get to the bottom of it and demand full accountability! pic.twitter.com/sTha11q6e4
— Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (@RepLuna) November 12, 2024
The controversy also highlights apparent discrepancies in FEMA’s reported practices versus public statements. For instance, Vice President Kamala Harris has claimed that FEMA personnel go “door to door” to locate survivors in need, a portrayal that Washington’s comments and recent survivor testimonies appear to contradict. In North Carolina, hurricane survivors reported delayed federal disaster assistance, with some claiming it took nearly a week post-storm for FEMA workers to arrive.