Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas On Wednesday, he doubled down on his fierce criticism of those accused of deliberately spreading false information about the work the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is doing during hurricane season.
“There is a lot of false information being spread, and we cannot allow people to trust that false information or actually seek the relief that is available to them because of that false information,” Mayorkas said on “Morning Joe” on Wednesday, before the hurricane hit. . mandatory.” Milton arrived in Florida on Wednesday night. “It’s really painful.”
Mayorkas, along with DHS and FEMA, are under pressure to manage Hurricane Helen. The agency is reacting to online allegations that it diverted resources to illegal immigrants, is out of money, is slow to respond and is blocking repatriation flights.
Mayorkas 'tears up political climate' amid GOP criticism of FEMA disaster response
US Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas speaks at the daily White House press briefing. (Getty Images)
The focus on the agency came after Mayorkas said last week that FEMA “doesn’t have the funds to do this all season long,” though he said it had enough “for immediate needs.” The administration has pressured Congress to backtrack and pass a spending bill to provide additional funding for the hurricane season.
But questions about funding have led critics to look at $650 million in grants to help illegal immigrants in the Shelter and Services Program (SSP). This led to accusations, including from former President Trump, that money that could have gone to humanitarian aid was misappropriated. The administration highlighted the fact that the fund is appropriated by Congress and separate from many larger humanitarian aid funds. But Republicans are still there expressed concern The “water” in the border crisis has had a knock-on effect.
House Speaker Johnson Biden rips 'lack of leadership' in administrator's Helen response: 'horrified and disappointed'
A crane stands on the street after Hurricane Milton hit the Tampa Bay Times office building following Hurricane Milton's landfall on October 10, 2024, in St. Petersburg, Florida. (Spencer Platt/Getty Images)
Others point to a possible political bias “Equity” plan was essential, stating that “diversity, equality and inclusion cannot be optional”.
Republicans accused the administration of mishandling the response to broader House Speaker Mike Johnson, accusing him of “serious errors and mistakes” and a lack of leadership.
But FEMA and DHS are reacting to many viral claims online, including allegations that FEMA grants must be disbursed, that it is distributing aid based on demographic characteristics and that it is limiting airspace for recovery operations.
President Biden also condemned the “reckless, irresponsible and relentless campaign of disinformation and outright falsehoods that are upsetting people.”
On Wednesday, Mayorkas warned that misinformation could hamper recovery efforts.
Trump takes aim at Biden over federal hurricane response, Harris: 'Incompetently managed'
“Historically, this country has come together in times of crisis, in times of disaster. We need to live this story today. We cannot have irresponsible voices that harm those who are truly in need and prevent survivors from seeking the relief that is available to them,” he said.
He made a similar plea on MSNBC Tuesday night, talking about the impact on the workforce and individuals' ability to get help.
“It is extraordinarily harmful. Most of all, it is extraordinarily damaging to the survivors of the natural disaster, Hurricane Helen. Individuals lose trust in their government, become reluctant to seek the help they need to meet their immediate needs – food, water, shelter. they don't want to. “We ask that you ignore the false information being spread and seek the help we have available to you.
Click here to get the Fox News app
“This is extremely frustrating for our federal authorities, our emergency response personnel, states and localities. Emergency Response Personnel Those who are risking their lives to serve defenseless people. When we come to a flooded area, when we come to a house that has been destroyed to help someone else, we don't ask what their party affiliation is. We are there to help and they need to understand that. They have to trust us. They can count on us.”
Earlier this week, Mayorkas warned that people “are not seeking that relief because of the confusion, they are getting deliberately false information.”
