US Inspector General Finds Political Discrimination In FEMA’s Hurricane Milton Response
US Inspector General Finds Political Discrimination In FEMA’s Hurricane Milton Response

US Inspector General Finds Political Discrimination In FEMA’s Hurricane Milton Response

By Mintesinot Nigussie  |  August 26, 2026

A US Department of Homeland Security watchdog has found that Federal Emergency Management Agency workers violated federal law and agency policy by skipping homes displaying political signs supporting then-presidential candidate Donald Trump during the response to Hurricane Milton.

The Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General said the FEMA disaster response crew’s actions amounted to political discrimination in the delivery of disaster assistance. The findings were contained in a report issued on August 26, 2026.

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The case dates to the aftermath of Hurricane Milton, which struck Florida in October 2024. The employees involved have since been fired, according to James Comer, chairman of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.

"Political discrimination has no place in the administration of disaster relief," Comer said. He called on FEMA to implement the inspector general’s recommendations to prevent political affiliation from influencing disaster response.

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The House Oversight Committee had previously investigated allegations that FEMA personnel were avoiding properties displaying Trump campaign signs. On November 20, 2024, the committee held a hearing on FEMA’s disaster response and questioned then-FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell about allegations of political bias within the agency.

The committee subsequently requested documents and information from FEMA concerning the allegations.

Following the congressional inquiry, FEMA fired employees for violating its standards of conduct and introduced additional training to reinforce that political affiliation must not be considered when providing disaster assistance.

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The inspector general’s findings now provide official confirmation that the conduct violated both law and FEMA policy, according to Comer.

The watchdog has recommended that FEMA take additional steps to prevent similar incidents and strengthen controls over its disaster response operations.

Source: FSX Business News