A recent revelation from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has cast a shadow over the Biden administration, as it has been discovered that Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) employees have been systematically avoiding homes of disaster survivors who displayed signs and flags supporting Trump's 2024 campaign and other causes that the employees disagreed with.
According to The Post Millennial, the DHS investigation into FEMA's response to Hurricane Milton in 2024 found that the agency violated the Privacy Act of 1974 by collecting and maintaining information about individuals' political beliefs, specifically their support for Trump. The DHS report stated, "During the course of this investigation, we have uncovered evidence that this also occurred during other disasters across the nation."
The Privacy Act prohibits agencies from maintaining records describing how any individual exercises their rights guaranteed by the First Amendment, unless one of three exceptions applies. However, the report clarified that none of these exceptions were relevant or applicable to FEMA in this case.
During the recovery efforts from Hurricane Milton in 2024, it was reported that a FEMA supervisor had instructed workers to avoid homes with Trump campaign signs. The DHS confirmed that at least 20 homes did not receive initial disaster assistance due to this bias. Following a complaint by an employee to FEMAs Office of Professional Responsibility, a misconduct investigation was initiated.
FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell testified before a House subcommittee on allegations of political bias in FEMAs response to 2024s Hurricanes Milton and Helene. She confirmed that the crew lead was terminated, describing the actions as a "clear violation of FEMAs core principles and values."
The DHS review of data from a tool used by FEMA canvassers to collect data on disaster survivors revealed that several canvassers in different disasters and states collected similar politically biased information. Screenshots of FEMAs tool showed that FEMA collected personal information about firearm support and individuals statements about political matters, including bypassing homes that displayed signage for then-presidential candidate Donald Trump.
The review found a total of 68 instances of impermissible and potentially impermissible information collection in 2024 between contractors and FEMA employees, 9 instances in 2023, 22 instances in 2022, and 3 instances in 2021. The keyword flagged the most over the Biden administration was "gun signage," with 72 instances.
The DHS found that FEMA canvassers bypassed homes specifically noting information related to an individuals exercise of First Amendment rights. In several instances, canvassers records indicate that canvassers skipped homes and left no disaster assistance flyers, citing the First Amendment-protected activity.
Among the notes made by employees were several politically charged comments, including one in June of 2024 in Texas that stated "pro gun sign," another the same month in Kentucky that stated "angry political rant," an October 2021 one that stated, "Homeowner had sign stated this is trump country," and November 2024, which stated "there was a political flyer so I didnt leave a FEMA brochure."
One September 2021 note on a Pennsylvania residence read, "a lot of explicit political flags, posters, etc. 'F*ck Joe Biden' 'MAGA 2024' 'Joe Biden Sucks' 'TRUMP 2024'. We do not recommend anyone visiting this location."
The report noted that FEMA's guidance instructs personnel to leave if they feel "unsafe." However, the report also highlighted the lack of clear guidance on what constitutes a hostile or unsafe situation, leading to unequal service delivery and potentially jeopardizing the physical safety of both the canvassers and the disaster survivors they aim to assist.
While the DHS was unable to find evidence of a broader directive from FEMA leadership to bypass homes based on political affiliation, it did find that the agency has no guidance to address the issues involved in this investigation. This lack of guidance increases the likelihood of collecting impermissible information and unfair decision-making, thereby increasing the risk of future violations of the Privacy Act of 1974.
The DHS concluded that by addressing these violations and implementing corrective actions, FEMA can restore public trust and demonstrate its commitment to providing equitable disaster relief to all citizens, thereby upholding the principles of fairness and impartiality that are fundamental to its mission.
DHS Secretary Kristi Noem expressed her outrage in a statement, saying, "The federal government was withholding aid against Americans in crisis based on their political beliefsthis should horrify every American, regardless of political persuasion. For years, FEMA employees under the Biden Administration intentionally delayed much-needed aid to Americans suffering from natural disasters on purely political grounds.
They deliberately avoided houses displaying support for President Trump and the Second Amendment, illegally collected and stored information about survivors political beliefs, and failed to report their malicious behavior. We will not let this stand."
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