Authorities in Florida have launched an investigation into confirmed instances of Biden-Harris officials at the Federal Emergency Management Agency withholding disaster relief to Trump supporters following two severe hurricanes.

State Attorney General Ashley Moody announced on X that she will be taking “swift legal action” against FEMA to ensure “all Americans” regardless of political beliefs are served through the remainder of the storm season. “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. 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,” Moody, a Republican, said in a statement. Her words were echoed by Gov. Ron DeSantis.

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

Both Trump supporters outlined in a legal filing what they say are systemic instances of discrimination against Trump supporters in the Sunshine State who claim they were denied both physical and monetary assistance in some cases because they had placed pro-Trump yard signs on their properties. Last week the AP confirmed that Marn’i Washington, a director at FEMA, ordered her subordinates to skip over visits to homes with Trump yard signs, claiming they were “hostile” toward relief workers. Washington was quickly fired, but she said the discrimination is common practice in disaster-prone areas.

“Once we start seeing a trend, for example, if they just so happen to have these Trump campaign signs in front of their home, and that’s the characteristic that’s coming along with that, we have to proceed with precaution,” Washington told the Independent shortly after the incident. She said the text messages where she made the order were leaked to the press, and that she believes FEMA officials made her a “scapegoat” and knew that her directive was not politically motivated. “FEMA always preaches avoidance first and then de-escalation,” she added. “So this is not isolated. This is a colossal event of avoidance, not just in the state of Florida, but you will find avoidance in the Carolinas.”

Regardless, the state of Florida will now be flexing its legal muscle, and on Thursday asked a court to declare that FEMA officials conspired to interfere with the civil rights of Floridians who support Trump in violation of the deprivation clause and the support or advocacy clause of 42 U.S.C. § 1985(3). The legal action also seeks nominal and punitive damages against the defendants in their individual capacities. “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 to violate the civil rights of Florida citizens,” the complaint states.

Hurricane season is not over, and the federal agency in charge of emergency response is embroiled in scandal – withholding aid from storm victims in Florida who support @realDonaldTrump.

I am taking swift legal action to find out how far FEMA’s political discrimination reaches… pic.twitter.com/D7fr0gXlNm

— AG Ashley Moody (@AGAshleyMoody) November 14, 2024