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FEMA worker accused of telling employees to leave hurricane-ravaged Trump Homes claims it's common practice: 'This is not an isolated incident'

The Federal Emergency Management Agency boss who accused employees of leaving hurricane-ravaged homes with Trump campaign signs claims it wasn't an “isolated” incident – and that she was hung out to dry been.

Marn'i Washington, who was fired last week over the saga, broke her silence Monday in an interview with YouTube podcaster Roland Martin, arguing that she was simply following a widespread FEMA policy of avoiding “politically hostile” homes .

Marn'i Washington, who was fired last week over the saga, broke her silence in an interview with YouTube podcaster Roland Martin on Monday, arguing that she was merely following FEMA protocol. Roland S. Martin/YouTube

“FEMA preaches prevention first and de-escalation second. This is not an isolated case. “This is a colossal event of avoidance,” said Washington, 39.

“Not just in the state of Florida. You’ll find evasive maneuvers in the Carolinas.”

Backing up Washington's claims, a former FEMA official told the Post that the agency's longstanding practice of skipping Trump-supporting homes was an open secret.

Washington accused FEMA of lying after the federal agency said it had no authority to give the order to disaster workers searching homes in Lake Placid, Florida, after Hurricane Milton last month.

The FEMA official said her supervisor approved the message — and that there were incident reports that showed some residents had shown “political hostility” toward workers in the area.

“FEMA preaches prevention first and de-escalation second. This is not an isolated case. “This is a colossal event of avoidance,” Washington said. AP

FEMA workers received threats based on misinformation following Hurricanes Helene and Milton, and a sheriff in Tennessee reported that an armed group threatened aid workers.

“Leadership will lie to you and tell you they don’t know, but if you ask [Disaster Survivor Assistance] Crew leaders and specialists will tell you what they experience on site,” she said.

“If you demand that FEMA provide you with these incident reports, they will provide evidence of what is happening to us on the ground.”

“FEMA is very aware of the incidents, not just with my crew, but with all crews in the states,” Washington added.

Washington said there have been cases in the past where homes have been marked as “politically hostile” even though there were no Trump signs.

“We left these houses out for security reasons, not for political reasons,” she said.

Republican Rep. Carlos Gimenez of Florida called the Biden administration's handling of the entire scandal “reprehensible.”

“Avoid homes that promote Trump,” she wrote in a “best practices” message to employees, Daily Wire reported, citing copies of the memo. via DailyWire

“The Biden administration weaponized FEMA to intentionally deny critical aid and assistance to Trump-supporting Americans during a natural disaster,” Gimenez told The Post on Tuesday.

“As a member of the Homeland Security Committee, which oversees FEMA, we must hold those responsible accountable and ensure those affected receive the assistance to which they are rightfully entitled.”

The former FEMA source said current employees told him that disaster relief teams were openly skipping Trump-supporting homes in the name of DEI.

The unofficial policy is to “prioritize the most underserved, marginalized communities first,” the source said.

Washington said supervisors at FEMA are “aware” of the number of on-site encounters at this time.

“This was the second time that I, my second crew in Florida, experienced unwelcome behavior from residents,” she said.

“Well, not all Floridians were unpleasant, but most who are very passionate about their disdain for FEMA have no problem expressing it.”

Asked for examples of what “political hostility” means, Washington said during the interview: “People will tell you, 'I don't like FEMA, this is part of the Biden-Harris campaign, you lie to people, That's not you. 'Helping people.'”

Washington's firing came after the federal agency began investigating allegations that she told field FEMA workers – both verbally and in a Microsoft Teams chat – to avoid the homes.

The official was fired after the federal agency began investigating allegations that she told FEMA workers on site — both verbally and in a Microsoft Teams chat — to avoid the Trump Houses.

“Avoid homes that promote Trump,” she wrote in a “best practices” message to employees, Daily Wire reported, citing copies of the memo.

The order was the second bullet point in a list instructing workers to “not go anywhere alone,” practice “de-escalation,” stay hydrated and “follow the rules.”

As a result of the order, workers told the outlet that they ultimately passed over about 20 homes with Trump signs or flags between late October and early November.

By ignoring the homes, these residents were denied the opportunity to sign up for federal disaster relief after the Category 3 hurricane made landfall.

When FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell announced Washington's termination, she said the directive was a violation of the agency's “core values ​​and principles of helping people regardless of their political affiliation.”

“I will continue to do everything I can to make sure something like this never happens again,” Criswell said.

Meanwhile, Washington — who had worked with FEMA since 2019 — said she was also terminated from another job she held at a private real estate company in the wake of the controversy.

She added that she had to leave her home due to threats.

The Post reached out to FEMA about Washington's claims but did not immediately receive a response.