Republicans desperate to distract from Donald Trump's weakened presidential campaign are politicizing FEMA's Hurricane Helene relief efforts with lies and complaints about the White House's response--after voting against increasing funding for the agency.
Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas told reporters on Wednesday that FEMA will run out of money before the hurricane season ends. The agency faces a multibillion-dollar deficit, even after imposing new spending restrictions. The GOP jumped on this to criticize President Joe Biden's response to the destruction left in Helene's wake.
Donald Trump lied to reporters during his visit to Valdosta, Georgia, claiming President Biden hadn't been in touch with Gov. Brian Kemp, which was immediately disproven because he made those comments after Gov. Kemp held a press conference where he related his phone conversations with the President.
Trump also baselessly claimed that some of the diverted funds are being used to help migrants: “A billion dollars was stolen from FEMA to use it for illegal migrants,” he said Friday without proof. Because his every accusation is a confession, Trump’s administration moved $155 million meant for FEMA disaster relief to support immigration enforcement.
President Biden said he might call Congress--which is in recess until after Election Day--back into session during a break to pass emergency supplemental funding, as some lawmakers from states hit by Helene have urged.
Local state officials and relief agencies working in the communities impacted by Hurricane Helene are urging residents to verify the information they are sharing or repeating, saying the MAGA deluge of false rumors is "hindering recovery efforts."