Byron Donalds Advocates for FEMA to Operate Independently from DHS, Report to White House

Rep. Byron Donalds (R-FL) is calling for FEMA to break away from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and operate as an independent agency reporting directly to the White House, following a controversial incident in Florida. This demand comes in the wake of a report that a FEMA supervisor instructed relief workers to avoid homes displaying support for President-elect Donald Trump during disaster assistance operations.

The incident involved Marn’i Washington, a now-dismissed FEMA official, who allegedly directed workers to bypass properties displaying Trump signs while assessing the damage from Hurricane Milton in Lake Placid, Florida. Whistleblowers and internal messages revealed the directive, leading to Washington's firing. FEMA issued a statement condemning the act, claiming it took “extreme actions to correct the situation.”

Donald’s comments came during a “Fox News Sunday” interview with Shannon Bream, where he condemned the partisan behavior and called for significant reform. “Anybody involved with that should be fired immediately,” Donalds stated emphatically. He emphasized that the government’s assistance should never be influenced by political beliefs. “We are not going to have a country where we’re going to decide who gets help and who doesn’t based upon who you support politically or what you look like.”

This incident comes as FEMA’s leadership structure is once again under scrutiny. Established under President Jimmy Carter in 1979, FEMA was originally created to address civil emergencies but was moved under DHS after 9/11. Today, Donalds argues, FEMA is mired in excessive red tape that stymies response efforts and delays aid to Americans in crisis.

Donalds laid out his recommendations for streamlining FEMA’s operations, proposing that FEMA be restructured to report directly to the White House. “When disaster recovery needs to take place, we need quick answers out of FEMA, not bureaucratic ones that go through the labyrinth of federal departments,” he said. Donalds pointed out that DHS is already a sprawling organization with complex divisions that slow down FEMA’s critical response capabilities.

The Florida representative also cited his own experience with Hurricane Ian, which devastated parts of his district in 2022. “It was very hard to get answers out of FEMA, still somewhat hard to get answers out of FEMA,” he said, noting that governors across the country have experienced similar frustrations.

Key reasons Donalds supports moving FEMA to a standalone agency reporting directly to the executive include:

• Increased Accountability: With FEMA answering directly to the White House, agency decisions and actions can be more directly overseen by the president, ensuring that federal disaster response aligns with national priorities.

• Reduced Bureaucracy: Direct reporting could eliminate delays created by DHS’s complex structure, allowing FEMA to act swiftly in emergencies without excessive layers of approval.

• Enhanced Public Trust: Accountability at the highest level would assure Americans that political bias has no place in emergency response, especially after incidents like this one.

Donalds’ call for reform reflects a broader GOP push to ensure Americans receive impartial disaster assistance, regardless of political affiliation, and to enhance federal response effectiveness. In a politically divided country, the responsibility of agencies like FEMA to operate neutrally and efficiently is more crucial than ever. Donalds’ vision for an autonomous FEMA aims to restore public trust and guarantee that Americans know they will receive immediate help when disaster strikes.

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