Trump administration officials at the Federal Emergency Management Agency, or FEMA, made derisive jokes Wednesday about the deadly blizzard that struck New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island.
The record-breaking snowstorm hit the East Coast Feb. 22.
According to Politico, White House officials overrode FEMA experts and denied aid to states that voted against President Donald Trump in the presidential election, despite agency email chains confirming that New York met established criteria for relief.
When confronted by Politico about the denials, a FEMA spokesperson responded sarcastically, "If the federal government is paying for regular operations like snow removal, what next? Garbage removal?"
The spokesperson argued disaster aid was inappropriate for "routine functions."
Historical data illustrates 82 percent of FEMA snow assistance since 1999 was assigned to Democratic-controlled states, a disparity reflecting Democratic strength in colder northern regions.
The incident adds to FEMA controversies under Trump, including resource diversions to "pre-crime" enforcement.
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