Gov. Ron DeSantis' angry rant directed at federal aid workers bringing relief to Florida in the wake of two deadly hurricanes spurred outrage on MSNBC Saturday morning.
DeSantis appeared on Fox News this week to claim the Federal Emergency Management Agency was "running amok" and undermining his leadership — an argument that infuriated MSNBC anchor Michael Steele.
"That is weak leadership," Steele said. "FEMA does not run amok. It helps people."
DeSantis' comments come as his party's presidential nominee Donald Trump spreads and repeats false claims about the federal response to hurricanes Helene and Milton.
Trump's claims that the White House and Democrats were misappropriating funds and blocking aid to Republican-leaning areas has been repeatedly denied, fact-checked as false and condemned as an inappropriate political ploy that puts lives at risk.
Amid calls to put politics aside and focus on recovery, DeSantis spoke out against FEMA work in his state during a Fox News segment Steele aired Saturday morning.
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"In Florida, we run the show," said DeSantis. "I am the sheriff that is in charge and we will make sure to protect you, do not worry about it."
Steele professed himself stunned.
"I am the sheriff here?" he echoed. "If you have to tell people that, then maybe you are not so much in charge as you think you are."
Steele was joined by Florida Rep. Kathy Castor (D) who said FEMA workers had provided crucial aid to her constituents in a tragic time.
"I had not heard that statement, I am shocked by it," she said. "He is wrong...it would be helpful if the governor would use his time to encourage everyone to continue to help each other and not spread misinformation."
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