New Lawsuit Alleges FEMA Discriminated Against Florida Trump Supporters

Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody has filed a lawsuit against current and former officials of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), alleging conspiracy to discriminate against Florida hurricane victims based on political affiliation. The legal action stems from whistleblower claims that FEMA officials in Lake Placid directed workers to bypass storm-affected households displaying signs or flags supporting President-elect Donald Trump.

The allegations suggest systemic political discrimination within FEMA’s disaster response efforts, with fired FEMA supervisor Marn’i Washington stating that such practices were not isolated to Florida but occurred nationwide. Attorney General Moody’s legal complaint targets Washington, as well as FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell, seeking punitive damages for violating the civil rights of Floridians.

“Hurricane season is not over, and the federal agency in charge of emergency response is embroiled in scandal – caught withholding aid from storm victims in Florida who support President Trump. 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," said Moody.

Governor Ron DeSantis echoed the Attorney General’s sentiments, calling the alleged actions “egregious” and pledging state-level investigations to ensure accountability.

The complaint includes evidence of direct orders to exclude Trump-supporting households, with internal FEMA records allegedly documenting instructions such as “Trump sign no entry per leadership.” Whistleblower testimony revealed that at least 20 homes in Lake Placid were deliberately skipped during the relief efforts following Hurricanes Helene and Milton.

Washington, dismissed by FEMA and branded as a “scapegoat,” maintains that the agency has a broader culture of political bias, citing similar incidents in North Carolina and other areas impacted by recent storms.

Attorney General Moody is asking the court to rule that FEMA officials conspired to violate civil rights under 42 U.S.C. § 1985(3). The lawsuit seeks both nominal and punitive damages, holding the accused officials accountable in their individual capacities.

This legal battle highlights concerns about FEMA’s impartiality during disaster response efforts, sparking widespread debate about equity and accountability in federal emergency management.
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The full action and press release can be found here.