Marn'i Washington, a former Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) worker, is at the center of a controversial dismissal for allegedly sidestepping homes with pro-Trump signs while distributing aid in Florida after Hurricane Milton.
ABC 13 reported that Washington was terminated amid accusations of skipping politically aligned homes during relief operations, but she insists that her actions were guided by FEMA protocols focused on safety.
Washington contended that her choices were influenced by safety concerns. According to Washington, FEMA guidelines emphasized avoiding dangers while delivering services. She claimed her team experienced hostility in certain areas, prompting their cautious approach.
This situation arose during a period when FEMA personnel had reportedly faced threats. An incident in October involved a North Carolina resident who was apprehended for allegedly making violent threats against the agency's representatives post-Hurricane Helene.
Amid such challenges, relief efforts were briefly halted in North Carolina but resumed after about a day.
Speaking about her experience in Florida, Washington described the reception from some residents as unwelcome, stressing that her decisions were based on their safety and comfort. "What I'd like for the American people to know," she stated, "is before I even deployed to Florida, that this was the work culture there."
FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell is slated to address these issues on Capitol Hill, where officials are concerned about impartial disaster aid distribution. Criswell is expected to discuss broader protocols and assess any partisanship allegations.
Washington asserted that her team did indeed serve homes with Trump displays in non-threatening areas. Her stance is that it was only select locations deemed risky that were avoided. She insisted that their operations were executed collectively, not independently, emphasizing, “I did not act on my own volition."
Despite Washington's defense, Criswell criticized any perceived deviation from FEMA's principles that assure aid distribution is void of political bias.
Washington, however, remains critical of FEMA’s approach towards worker safety in precarious environments, expressing her willingness to testify if summoned.
In Florida, Washington recounted instances where some locals explicitly expressed their dislike for their presence. "Some people had some tact about it and some people were not so nice about it," she noted, portraying the challenging field conditions they faced.
Washington voiced concerns over FEMA not prioritizing on-the-ground safety issues, urging for more transparency about experiences with hostility.
She remarked, "There are plenty of reports that discuss hostile encounters" and questioned why such matters aren't shared publicly.
FEMA temporarily paused aid in North Carolina in response to threats, showcasing the delicate balance between providing aid and ensuring personnel safety. This mirrors similar apprehensions Washington articulated for her experiences in Florida.
FEMA's protocols prompted varying interpretations, with Washington highlighting how the safety-first policy guided her actions during her assignment.
She reassured that, "It was only selected areas where there were teammates that felt uncomfortable, they did not feel safe and they feared for their safety."
Washington urged FEMA leadership to acknowledge the threats and challenges field teams encounter. Her experience echoes past instances of hostility against FEMA staff, reinforcing her call for more support in addressing grassroots safety issues.
