Deanne Criswell, administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, has asked the inspector general’s office to investigate whether a former employee acted alone in instructing workers to avoid homes with Donald Trump signs during recovery efforts for hurricanes Milton and Helene.”I have already requested an investigation to the IG,” Criswell said.Criswell emphasized that the agency has no policy, rule or doctrine that would encourage political discrimination.”The actions of this one individual are not representative of the work that we do at FEMA,” Criswell said.The allegations arose after a former FEMA employee, Marn’i Washington, claimed she was following orders from a superior. Washington sent a text message to her staff of 11 people to “avoid homes advertising Trump.””The actions directed by Ms. Washington are unacceptable, and when I received this text message, I directed her termination,” Criswell said.Washington insists she is being scapegoated and that she was given instructions to handle “political hostile territory.””When I arrived, they were implementing avoidance and de-escalation, and unfortunately, that trend ran with those Trump campaign signs,” Washington said.Criswell stated there is no evidence to support Washington’s claims that she received instructions from a superior.”We help all survivors, all people, obtain all of the assistance that they are qualified for under the law,” Criswell said.Criswell noted that approximately 20 homes were initially skipped, and teams were sent to those homes immediately after the situation was brought to her attention.The Biden administration is requesting roughly $100 billion from Congress to aid Americans affected by major natural disasters in 2023 and 2024, including hurricanes Helene and Milton. Criswell warned that the agency is running dangerously low.Hurricanes Helene and Milton resulted in over 200 deaths and caused at least $20 billion in damage, according to Associated Press reports.