Florida Sues FEMA, Says Relief Workers Ignored Trump Backers (1)

Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody has sued the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and a former employee, for allegedly instructing hurricane relief workers to avoid residences displaying signs supporting President-elect Donald Trump.

“While the facts will continue to come out over the weeks and months, it is already clear” Moody’s complaint said, that fired worker Marn’i Washington “conspired with senior FEMA officials, as well as those carrying out her orders, to violate the civil rights of Florida citizens.” The suit was filed Wednesday in the US District Court for the Southern District of Florida at Fort Pierce.

Florida was hit with hurricanes Helene and Milton struck Florida in September and October. Washington, identified in the complaint as a FEMA supervisor managing relief workers in Lake Placid, Fla., allegedly told those workers to “avoid homes advertising Trump.” Washington later said that FEMA engaged in similar behavior in other states where the agency provided aid, according to the lawsuit.

“Denying Florida residents disaster relief based on political affiliation and advocacy threatens their health and well-being,” the complaint said, adding “these actions deny Florida its place in the federal system” because of Florida’s strong support of President-elect Trump in the recent election. Trump won the presidential election in Florida 56%-43%.

The lawsuit asserts violation of the Deprivation clause of 42 U.S.C. §1985(3), Conspiracy to Interfere with Civil Rights, as well as that statute’s Support and Advocacy clause. The state seeks declarations that the federal agency violated those provisions, as well as nominal and punitive damages and attorney’s fees.

FEMA via email said it declined to comment on pending litigation, but referred to its earlier statement saying an unnamed employee violated “FEMA’s core values and principles to help people regardless of their political affiliation.”

“I will continue to do everything I can to make sure this never happens again,” FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell said in the statement.

Washington couldn’t immediately be reached for a request for comment.

Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) said in a press statement announcing the lawsuit that he is “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 case is assigned to Judge Donald M. Middlebrooks.

The case is Moody v. Criswell, S.D. Fla., No. 2:24-cv-14365, complaint 11/13/24.