Fired FEMA employee says instructions to skip Trump homes part of ‘colossal avoidance’ policy
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One recent incident that sparked controversy involved a FEMA supervisor named Marn’i Washington, who was fired for instructing her subordinates to skip over houses with Trump signs and banners while canvassing in Lake Placid, Florida, after Hurricane Milton. According to reports, at least 20 homes with Trump signs were bypassed based on guidance from Washington, with workers leaving messages like “Trump sign no entry per leadership” in a government system.
FEMA’s administrator on employee misconduct, Deanne Criswell, confirmed that Washington’s actions were “reprehensible” and a clear violation of FEMA’s core values. While FEMA initially claimed that this was an isolated incident, Washington has since stated that her actions were consistent with agency guidance and were not unique to her team alone. She claimed that the instructions were given to avoid homes deemed hostile or dangerous to workers, following FEMA’s “avoidance” and de-escalation policy.
Washington also mentioned similar protocols in place in North Carolina, suggesting that avoidance of homes based on political affiliation was not limited to Florida. She welcomed an investigation by Republicans in Congress and urged FEMA to provide incident reports to substantiate the widespread nature of these avoidance practices.
In response to the incident, FEMA reiterated their commitment to holding employees accountable for violating standards of conduct. Criswell emphasized that such behavior would not be tolerated within the agency. A hearing on the matter has been called for by Republican Rep. James Comer, chair of the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability, scheduled for November 19.
As the controversy surrounding Washington’s actions continues to unfold, it serves as a reminder of the importance of upholding ethical standards and treating all individuals with respect and dignity, regardless of their political beliefs. It also underscores the need for transparency and accountability within government agencies like FEMA.
