A Department of Homeland Security investigation has revealed that the Federal Emergency Management Agency tracked the political beliefs of disaster survivors since 2021, leading to delayed aid for some conservatives. The probe, initiated after a report on biased instructions in Florida, contradicts earlier claims by FEMA's former administrator that such incidents were isolated. Secretary Kristi Noem described the findings as a systemic violation of Americans' rights.
The DHS Privacy Office released a report on Tuesday detailing how FEMA employees and contractors collected and stored information on survivors' political expressions during disaster responses, violating the Privacy Act of 1974. This practice began at least with Hurricane Ida in September 2021 and continued through events like Hurricane Milton in Florida.
The investigation stemmed from a Daily Wire report exposing instructions by FEMA employee Marn’i Washington, who was fired after directing teams in Lake Placid, Florida, to avoid homes displaying Trump signs or flags. Washington’s guidance led canvassers to skip such properties while providing aid post-hurricane.
Former FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell testified on November 19 before the House Oversight Committee that the Florida case was an isolated incident limited to one employee. However, the DHS report states that evidence shows this political targeting occurred in other disasters nationwide, with canvassers noting details like political affiliations and campaign signs in a tracking tool.
Examples from the system include entries such as “angry political rant,” “Sign states I’m a bitter gun owner clinging to my religion,” and “Homeowner had a sign stating… this is trump country.” Other logs read: “There was a political flyer so I didn’t leave FEMA brochure” and descriptions of flags reading “F*** Joe Biden,” “MAGA 2024,” and “Trump 2024,” with recommendations against visiting those sites.
Quantitative data from the tool shows “gun signage” flagged 72 times, “Trump” 15 times, “firearms” five times, “political” three times, and “Biden” or “NRA” twice each since September 2021.
DHS Secretary Kristi Noem commented: “The federal government was withholding aid against Americans in crisis based on their political beliefs — this should horrify every American, regardless of political persuasion.” She added that under the Biden administration, aid was intentionally delayed on political grounds. Noem has referred the Lake Placid incident to the Department of Justice for potential prosecution.
The report highlights systemic gaps in FEMA’s policies, prompting multiple investigations by state authorities in Florida and Tennessee, House committees, and other entities. It also informed an executive order by President Trump for FEMA reforms.
