Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene is demanding that FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell resign in light of the agency’s controversial response to Hurricane Helene. The storm, which struck Florida as a Category 4 on September 26, has resulted in at least 200 fatalities across six states, igniting significant backlash from both Republicans and local residents.
The criticism intensified as claims emerged from former President Donald Trump and his supporters suggesting that FEMA was misallocating disaster relief funds to aid migrants. Greene, a Republican from Georgia, expressed her frustration on social media, hinting that Criswell would face intense scrutiny when she appears before the Oversight Committee.
Accusations against FEMA include confiscating supplies and allegedly using disaster funds for migrant housing. In response, FEMA has stated that such claims are unfounded, affirming that its Disaster Relief Fund is solely allocated for disaster-related efforts and not diverted for other uses.
Concerns about FEMA’s funding have surfaced, particularly after Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas revealed that while FEMA can manage immediate needs, it lacks sufficient resources for the entire hurricane season. Trump continues to assert that financial issues stem from funds being redirected towards migrant assistance, a claim FEMA refutes.
The agency recently received a $20 billion boost to their Disaster Relief Fund through a stopgap spending bill passed just before Helene’s landfall, though it arguably fell short of what was necessary for the disaster’s long-term recovery. The Biden administration voiced disappointment over the lack of additional funding in the bill.
President Biden, who surveyed the hurricane’s aftermath, emphasized the urgency of securing continued funding for recovery efforts. He highlighted the necessity for Congress to provide FEMA with the resources it needs to ensure ongoing support for affected communities.