The aftermath of Donald Trump’s re-election brought more than just political fallout — it unveiled a disturbing case within the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) that, for many, felt like a microcosm of broader institutional bias.
On November 8th, just days after the election, reports surfaced that a FEMA official had instructed disaster response workers to avoid homes displaying Trump support while canvassing neighborhoods hit hard by Hurricane Milton in Florida.
The directive didn’t come from the shadows. According to multiple FEMA insiders and documentation reviewed by The Daily Wire, internal guidance was clear: “Trump sign, no contact per leadership.”
Screenshots of these entries circulated among concerned staff, sparking a storm of internal outrage. The implication? If you publicly supported Donald Trump, your home might be skipped in the very moments when federal help mattered most.
At first, FEMA’s official response aimed to contain the fallout. Then-Administrator Deanne Criswell classified the incident as both “isolated” and “heartbreaking,” attributing it solely to one Disaster Survivor Assistance crew leader, Marn’i Washington. Washington was ultimately terminated — a swift disciplinary move that FEMA hoped would settle the issue. But Washington didn’t go quietly.
In a series of fiery media appearances, Washington refused to take the fall alone. She claimed her instructions were handed down by superiors, repeatedly stating, “My orders come from above.” According to her, the directive was rooted in concern for the comfort of FEMA workers who felt “uncomfortable” approaching homes with political or Second Amendment-related signage. The rationale? Safety.
That justification didn’t sit well with critics — particularly Republicans, who viewed it as a de facto punishment for political expression. Comparing Trump voters to “vicious dogs,” as one FEMA note allegedly did, only added to the sense of contempt. The incident became, for many, not an isolated blunder but a revealing window into how partisanship can seep into supposedly neutral federal agencies.
Criswell may have stood firm on her belief that this was not evidence of systemic bias at FEMA. But the pattern of behavior — from frontline notes to whistleblower accusations — suggests otherwise. When emergency response becomes politicized, it strikes at the heart of public trust. People don’t ask for help based on how they vote.
And help, when offered, must be blind to lawn signs and bumper stickers alike. The moment it’s not, it ceases to be public service — and becomes something far more dangerous.
