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Florida AG sues FEMA over ‘damning’ revelations agency deliberately ignored homes of Trump supporters: ‘Swift legal action’

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Florida AG sues FEMA over ‘damning’ revelations agency deliberately ignored homes of Trump supporters: ‘Swift legal action’


FEMA’s disaster of its own making keeps getting worse.

Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody is suing current and former Federal Emergency Management Agency officials, claiming they “conspired to interfere with the civil rights of Trump voters” in the state by withholding aid in the aftermath of Hurricanes Helene and Milton.

The bombshell lawsuit follows alarming revelations its workers were given orders to avoid dozens of homes of Trump supporters in Lake Placid in a shocking display of political favoritism.

The scandal came to light after FEMA fired agency supervisor Marn’i Washington, who later claimed that systemic discrimination at the disaster relief agency was “colossal” both in Florida and beyond and alleged she’s been made a “scapegoat” by the agency.

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Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody is suing several current and former FEMA officials over their avoidance of homes belonging to Trump supporters, a lawsuit which Gov. Ron DeSantis threw his full support behind. Getty Images

“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,” Moody said in a press release announcing the suits.

“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.”

Highlands County, where Lake Placid is located, went 70% for President-elect Trump in the election.

A FEMA official backed up Washington’s claims, telling The Post the agency’s practice of skipping Trump-supporting houses — or avoiding “white or conservative-dominated” disaster zones altogether — is an open secret at the agency that has been going on for years.

Field agents were told to avoid storm-battered homes with Trump signage in their yards, which one fired worker admitted was part of a “colossal” systemic campaign of discrimination. AP

In her announcement of Washington’s termination, FEMA administrator Deanne Criswell, who is named as a litigant in the legal action, called the directive to skip homes based on political affiliation violated the agency’s “core values and principles,” and vowed to do everything she could to ensure it never happens again.

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Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, incensed by FEMA playing politics with disaster victims in the state, also blasted the federal agency in announcing his support for the legal action.

“It’s unacceptable for the federal government to discriminate against Floridians who voted for Trump, and especially egregious in the aftermath of a hurricane,” the governor said in a press release.

Congressional Republicans have vowed to investigate whether the agency abdicated its duty to the American people. ZUMA Press

“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.”

Congressional Republicans said they plan to launch multiple investigations into whether FEMA abdicated its duty to the American people.

“This will be investigated,” promised North Carolina GOP Sen. Ted Budd on Tuesday in an X post.

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“Anyone who abuses the power of the federal government to hurt North Carolinians in need will be held accountable,” Budd added. “I will personally see to it.”

AG Moody’s complaint outlines what the office calls “the terrible facts of the civil rights violations” in the aftermath of the devastation wrought by Hurricanes Helene and Milton in September and October.

The legal document names both Washington and Criswell, and is seeking both nominal and punitive damages on behalf of affected Florida homeowners, includin legal fees.

A FEMA spokesperson told the Post Thursday that the agency “does not comment on pending litigation” and included a link to the agency’s website on employee conduct.

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Florida No Kings protests planned for Stuart, Fort Pierce

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Florida No Kings protests planned for Stuart, Fort Pierce



There are two No Kings protests planned for the Treasure Coast; one in Stuart and one in Fort Pierce.

No Kings Day protests are scheduled for March 28, with over a thousand protests planned across the United States.

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Organizers say the No Kings events will challenge President Donald Trump as he escalates “his attempts to control us.” Dozens of protests are planned across Florida, including two on the Treasure Coast.

Here’s what to know about the protests.

What is a No Kings protest?

No Kings is a nationwide protest organized in response to President Donald Trump and his administration.

“It is on us, the people, to show that we will fight to protect one another and our country,” according to the nokings.org website. “If he believes we will roll over and allow him to take our freedoms, he is mistaken.”

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One core principle of No Kings is a commitment to nonviolent action. The organization’s website states participants should seek to de-escalate any potential confrontation with dissenters and act lawfully.

No Kings protest in Stuart

No Kings protest in Fort Pierce

No Kings protests in Florida

There are dozens of protests planned across Florida, including two on the Treasure Coast, with one in Stuart and one in Fort Pierce. Find a protest near you.

Olivia Franklin is TCPalm’s trending reporter. You can contact her at olivia.franklin@tcpalm.com317-627-8048 or follow her on X @Livvvvv_5.



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Severe storms, near-record heat: Big weather swings ahead for South Florida

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Severe storms, near-record heat: Big weather swings ahead for South Florida


From tornado threats in the Central U.S. to a surge of unseasonable warmth in South Florida, meteorologist Dave Warren breaks down the week’s weather changes. Expect near-record high temperatures by Thursday, followed by a slight cool-down and a chance for scattered showers. Track all the latest with NEXT Weather.



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Our leaders look to the past, but it's not a pretty picture

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Our leaders look to the past, but it's not a pretty picture


Tired of Black people thinking their lives matter? Sick of hearing Spanish every time you’re in a Miami restaurant? Annoyed by uppity women asserting their so-called rights, gay types flaunting themselves by getting married and taking out mortgages, unwashed tree-huggers trying to stop righteous sprawl, and Marxist high school teachers making kids study pornographic Shakespeare […]



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