
Whistleblowers from FEMA have raised significant alarms regarding the agency’s management in the wake of Hurricane Helene. U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) has disclosed that he has been in contact with these whistleblowers, who point to severe issues in the agency’s response efforts.
In a letter to Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, Gaetz expressed concern over the mismanagement issues affecting FEMA’s operations. “My office has been in contact with whistleblowers in numerous emergency-management functions at the federal, state, and local levels,” he stated. Allegations include wasted taxpayer funds and a lack of deployment orders for emergency responders.
Reports suggest that many service members from the Department of Defense deployed to North Carolina have been left idle, waiting for FEMA’s instructions. Furthermore, Gaetz’s letter indicated that FEMA employees were observed staying in hotels rather than aiding victims of the hurricane. “FEMA pre-disaster aid was withheld, exacerbating the emergency,” he pointed out, illustrating the agency’s failures.
This letter comes on the heels of Secretary Mayorkas announcing that FEMA lacks sufficient funds to make it through the current hurricane season. “We are meeting the immediate needs with the money that we have,” he said, further stressing the agency’s financial constraints.
The funding issues have sparked criticism, with many believing that FEMA’s budget has been misallocated to support illegal immigrants. FEMA allocated substantial funds to the Shelter and Services Program, which aims to provide assistance to noncitizens, raising eyebrows about the agency’s priorities during disasters.
Former President Donald Trump also addressed the issue at a recent rally, criticizing Vice President Kamala Harris for her handling of FEMA’s resources. “There’s nobody that’s handled a hurricane or storm worse than what they’re doing right now,” he declared, highlighting widespread concerns about the agency’s management and effectiveness.