Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has rejected Vice President Kamala Harris' accusations of political gamesmanship, asserting that she has "no role" in hurricane response efforts in the state.
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Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has vehemently rejected Vice President Kamala Harris' accusations of political gamesmanship in the lead-up to Hurricane Milton, asserting that she has no role in coordinating hurricane response efforts.
DeSantis Dismisses Harris' Criticism, Declares 'She Has No Role' in Hurricane Response
During an interview on Fox News' "Hannity," DeSantis expressed frustration over Harris' criticism, stating that her focus on political issues during a time of crisis was "delusional." He emphasized his direct coordination with President Biden, the FEMA director, and state agencies to ensure a comprehensive and effective response to the impending hurricane.
NBC News and ABC News had reported that DeSantis was ignoring phone calls from Harris regarding storm recovery efforts, citing anonymous sources within the governor's office who suggested the calls were politically motivated. However, DeSantis firmly denied ever receiving any calls from Harris regarding hurricane preparedness or response, questioning her involvement in the process.
DeSantis Dismisses Harris' Criticism, Declares 'She Has No Role' in Hurricane Response
"She has no role in this process," DeSantis stated. "I'm in contact with the President of the United States. I'm in contact with the FEMA director, I'm obviously managing all of our state agencies, we're supporting all our local government."
Harris' accusations stemmed from reports that DeSantis had not returned her phone calls, leading her to publicly criticize his alleged political maneuvering. She accused him of prioritizing political gamesmanship over the well-being of Floridians in need of support during a crisis.
DeSantis Dismisses Harris' Criticism, Declares 'She Has No Role' in Hurricane Response
DeSantis dismissed Harris' criticism as politically motivated, asserting that his focus remains solely on the well-being of Floridians impacted by the storm. He emphasized his successful collaborations with both the Trump and Biden administrations in addressing hurricane preparedness and response.
"She's the first one who's trying to politicize the storm, and she's doing that just because of her campaign," DeSantis said. "I don't have time for political games. I've got people whose lives are on the line, I've got people whose homes and possessions are on the line, and we are focused 100% on that mission."
In response to Harris' accusations, White House spokesperson Andrew Bates highlighted the bipartisan praise for the federal government's response to recent hurricanes. He cited positive comments from Republican governors and senators, including Henry McMaster of South Carolina, Thom Tillis of North Carolina, and Brian Kemp of Georgia.
As Hurricane Milton approaches, DeSantis and state officials are closely monitoring the storm's path and taking all necessary measures to ensure the safety and well-being of Florida residents. The governor has stressed the importance of following evacuation orders and staying informed about the latest weather updates.
Hurricane Milton is expected to bring high winds, heavy rainfall, and potential flooding to Florida and other southeastern states. DeSantis has urged residents to take precautions and prepare for the storm's impact.
