The House Committee on Oversight and Accountability announced on Saturday that it would hold a hearing to investigate FEMA after The Daily Wire reported that a federal employee had instructed relief workers in Florida to avoid homes with signs or flags supporting Donald Trump.

Committee Chairman James Comer (R-KY) sent a letter to FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell requesting that she testify before lawmakers on November 19. The letter follows allegations from whistleblowers who told The Daily Wire that they were directed by now-fired FEMA supervisor Marn’i Washington to “avoid homes advertising Trump” while offering relief in Lake Placid, Florida.

“This hearing will address FEMA’s response to recent major natural disasters, including Hurricanes Helene and Milton, and permit members to investigate recent reports that a FEMA official instructed relief workers to bypass hurricane-impacted homes displaying campaign signs for President Trump,” Comer wrote in a letter to Criswell.

🚨BREAKING🚨

I’m calling on FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell to appear & testify before the House Oversight Committee at a hearing on November 19.

FEMA has a responsibility to all Americans & @GOPoversight is committed to ensuring FEMA adheres to its disaster relief mission. pic.twitter.com/5HbWhHsgOI

— Rep. James Comer (@RepJamesComer) November 9, 2024

“In the wake of the recent major disasters that impacted Americans of all political persuasions, it is critical that FEMA adheres to its disaster relief mission,” Comer added.

Multiple government employees from the relief team told The Daily Wire that at least 20 homes were skipped due to the directive. They stated that the guidance was given both verbally and through a group chat used by the relief team.

On Saturday, Criswell announced that Washington had been fired.

“More than 22,000 FEMA employees every day adhere to FEMA’s core values and are dedicated to helping people before, during and after disasters, often sacrificing time with their own families to help disaster survivors. Recently, one FEMA employee departed from these values to advise her survivor assistance team to not go to homes with yard signs supporting President-elect Trump,” she said in a statement.

“This is a clear violation of FEMA’s core values and principles to help people regardless of their political affiliation. This was reprehensible,” her statement continued, adding that the incident has been referred to a special counsel for further investigation.

“We take our mission to help everyone before, during and after disasters seriously. This employee has been terminated and we have referred the matter to the Office of Special Counsel. I will continue to do everything I can to make sure this never happens again,” she said.

Several lawmakers have announced inquiries into the guidance, including Republican Senators Katie Britt (AL) and Josh Hawley (MO).