Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody has filed a federal lawsuit alleging that FEMA Director Deanne Criswell and FEMA reservist Marn'i Washington violated the civil rights of conservative Floridians by denying services to anyone displaying Trump campaign signs or banners.
“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, as well as those carrying out her orders, to violate the civil rights of Florida citizens,” reads the complaint.
The lawsuit, filed Wednesday in federal court in Fort Pierce, Fla., asks for unspecified damages and a declaration that the two FEMA officials unlawfully conspired to violate Floridians’ civil rights.
“It’s unacceptable for the federal government to discriminate against Floridians who voted for Trump, and especially egregious in the aftermath of a hurricane,” Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) said in a statement.
“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.”
This saga began with a whistleblower leaking internal FEMA communications to the Daily Wire after they were ordered to avoid residences displaying items supporting President-elect Trump's candidacy.
BACKGROUND:
FLASHBACK: Was FEMA Punishing Trump Supporters in North Carolina? – RedState
FEMA Official Fired Over Avoiding Houses With Trump Signs Drops Even More Concerning Info – RedState
The supervisor who, in imitation of an episode of The Wire, documented a criminal conspiracy to violate the civil rights of Trump voters, has confirmed in television interviews on two occasions, the last being today, that what she did was carry out agency policy. According to her, workers were told to treat the homes of Trump supporters as though there were vicious dogs on those properties.
New: The fired FEMA supervisor who told subordinates to skip hurricane-ravaged homes with Trump signs did a sit-down interview on Fox News and said that staff had the right to not go to homes with Trump signs if they were uncomfortable, similar to them avoiding homes with… pic.twitter.com/DXIrFB3MwV
— Andy Ngo 🏳️🌈 (@MrAndyNgo) November 14, 2024
I'm not sure this is the sure-win defense she thinks it is.
Florida's lawsuit, plus an incoming Trump administration, should get to the bottom of how punishing the political opposition fits into FEMA's mission statement.
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