Attorney General Ashley Moody has initiated legal proceedings against Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) officials, accusing them of conspiring to discriminate against Florida hurricane victims who support President-elect Donald Trump. Reports from whistleblowers suggest that FEMA workers in Lake Placid were instructed to disregard storm victims displaying Trump signs or flags.
Former FEMA supervisor Marn’i Washington, who was dismissed following these revelations, alleged that such political discrimination is not unique to Florida and has occurred nationwide. Attorney General Moody is pursuing legal action against Washington and FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell, seeking punitive damages for civil rights violations as a tropical system approaches south of Florida.
Moody stated, “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.”
Governor Ron DeSantis expressed his support for the legal action, saying, “It’s unacceptable for the federal government to discriminate against Floridians who voted for Trump, and especially egregious in the aftermath of a hurricane. I’m supportive of this legal action by the Attorney General’s Office, and I have instructed state agencies to likewise take any action necessary to investigate and ensure those who engaged in this behavior are held accountable."
The complaint details civil rights violations following Hurricanes Helene and Milton. It includes a directive from Washington instructing workers to "avoid homes advertising Trump."
FEMA terminated Washington's employment, condemning her actions as "reprehensible." However, Washington claims she is being used as a "scapegoat," alleging similar practices occurred in North Carolina and other regions impacted by the hurricanes. The complaint states: “While the facts will continue to come out over the weeks and months, it is already clear that Defendant Washington conspired with senior FEMA officials to violate the civil rights of Florida citizens.”
Additionally, it alleges that FEMA employees entered notes into a government database such as “Trump sign no entry per leadership.” Whistleblowers reported that “at least 20 homes with Trump signs or flags” in Lake Placid were bypassed from late October into November based on these directives.
Attorney General Moody seeks a court declaration stating that the defendants conspired against Floridian supporters of Trump under 42 U.S.C. § 1985(3), along with nominal and punitive damages against them individually.