Key Takeaways:
– Trump reportedly withheld federal disaster aid to states governed by his critics, regardless of their political affiliation.
– Democratic Governor Jay Inslee of Washington and Republican Governor Larry Hogan of Maryland were denied aid during their hour of need despite meeting FEMA’s disaster threshold requirements.
– Utah Governor Gary Herbert faced a delay in receiving federal aid after acknowledging Biden’s victory in the 2020 election.
– Critics consider this as an ‘outrageous abuse of power.’
– Both Hogan and Inslee heavily criticized Trump’s handling of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Political Power Play for Disaster Relief
A new report uncovers the alleged bias in aiding disasters under the reign of President Donald Trump. It claims Trump repeatedly snubbed disaster relief fund requests from states where he faced criticism or where his election defeat was acknowledged by governors. Interestingly, his retributive antics didn’t play favorites – he spared neither Democrats nor Republicans.
Governors Test the Waters of Trump’s Wrath
An alarming case reported is that of Washington State. In 2020, the state was badly hit with wildfires for which Governor Jay Inslee, a Democrat, had asked for relief assistance of close to $37 million. Regardless of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) confirming that the wildfire damage warranted federal aid, President Trump let the request simmer on the back burner for an entire four-month duration. The approval for the aid only arrived just prior to him vacating the presidency.
Governor Inslee, a vocal critic of Trump’s handling of the Covid-19 pandemic, called the delayed decision an “outrageous abuse of power”. His earlier comments against Trump called for a scientifically accurate and honest approach to dealing with the pandemic, resulting in name-calling from Trump who labeled him a “snake” and a “nasty person.”
When Disaster Strikes Politics
In yet another strategic denial of disaster aid, President Trump snubbed Larry Hogan, the Republican Governor of Maryland. Mr. Hogan had approached FEMA for financial assistance after a tropical storm had wreaked havoc in his state. Despite confirming that the damage was severe enough to invite federal aid, Trump’s approval for the request never surfaced. Trump’s Twitter attack on Hogan, branding him a RINO (Republican in name only), further revealed the tension between the two. The social media attack was in response to Larry Hogan critiquing Trump’s pandemic response and acquiring Covid tests from South Korea independently.
No Place for Partisan Politics in Disaster Management
As states waited on tenterhooks for approvals on much-needed disaster relief funds, the delay inflicted further damage. As Maryland’s Emergency Management Agency Director, Russell Strickland, put it, “Citizens do not have the ability to wait months to receive assistance and return to their homes and businesses.” The postponement in aid delivery, he explained, squandered opportunities to guard the residents of Maryland against future natural disasters.
And it wasn’t just the Democrats or Trump-critiquing Republicans who experienced this treatment; Governor Gary Herbert from Utah witnessed the delay first-hand. Despite FEMA recording that the storms in Utah had exceeded the disaster threshold, an approval for Herbert’s request took nearly 97 days. The delay might have been a result of Herbert, a Republican, acknowledging Biden as the winner of the 2020 election even amidst the chaos of attempts to overturn the results.
Just some Wind and Politics
For all the political maneuvering concerning disaster aid, Trump’s accusations of President Biden’s failings during Hurricanes Helene and Milton appear misplaced. Governors from both parties have lauded the swift federal emergencies declaration by the Biden administration. This rapid response resulted in speedier allocation of federal resources to the areas most affected. Interestingly, even Fox News anchor Neil Cavuto pointed out the inaccuracies in Trump’s allegations about Biden’s hurricane relief initiatives.
Be it an in-house political feud or an ecological emergency, the reliance on federal aid is significant. An unbiased approach to disaster management, without the muddiness of political vengeance, is vital for a nation’s resilience and recovery. Regrettably, this report suggests that under the Trump administration, political bias might have shadowed equitable aid distribution.
In conclusion, political power play in impending disasters is not the kind of ‘storm’ any state or its residents should endure. Hence, the governing administrations must ensure that political differences do not blur the vision of those responsible for providing federal aid during such calamities.