Former President Donald J. on the federal government’s response to Hurricane Helen. President Biden accused Trump on Wednesday of “absolute lies” that have caused morale problems among emergency medical workers and confused storm victims.
When he participated in a briefing by federal officials on Hurricane Milton, Mr.
“Over the past few weeks, there has been a reckless, reckless and relentless promotion of misinformation and outright lies,” Mr. Biden said. “It undermines confidence in the incredible rescue and recovery efforts that have already been undertaken and will continue to be undertaken. It harms those who need help the most.
Mr. is about to take office for the second term in the White House. Trump and his rival, Ohio’s Senator J.T. Vance has made allegations about the government’s response to disaster areas that has been repeatedly denied by local, state and federal officials.
The former president said at a Michigan rally that Vice President Kamala Harris spent FEMA money on immigration settlements. He said helicopters were not used to rescue people in North Carolina. He said that FEMA had said that only $750 would be given to those affected by the storm.
All those false claims were made on Wednesday by Mr. Part of Biden’s “disturbing” comments.
“It was insisted that the property be confiscated. That is not true,” said Mr. Biden said. “They say the people affected by these storms will get $750 in cash and no more. That’s simply not true. They say the money needed for this crisis is being diverted to immigrants. What an absurdity. That’s not true.”
The president also slammed Rep. Marjorie Taylor Green, a Republican from Georgia, for writing on social media that “they” could control the weather, without specifying who that might be. He also suggested the federal government’s response was designed not to help victims in Republican-controlled states.
“We control the weather – it’s ridiculous,” Mr. Biden said. “Moments like this have to stop. There are no red or blue states.
Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro N. Mayorkas said at the conference that some misrepresentations about the hurricane response are hurting efforts to reach victims and those eligible for federal aid.
“One of the false narratives is that federal aid workers will actually take over an individual’s land,” said Mr. Mayorkas said. “It causes individual survivors to not reach out to people out there to help and get the relief they need and the relief we have available to them.”
“Misinformation is only fuel for the criminal element to exploit individuals in vulnerable positions,” he added.
In the afternoon, Mr. Biden appeared in the Roosevelt Room to address Floridians facing Hurricane Milton. “We’ve got your back,” he said, adding that Ms. Harris was also singularly focused on providing aid and ensuring there was a rapid recovery effort.
During a brief question-and-answer session with reporters, Mr. Mr. Biden was asked why Trump is spreading false information about FEMA’s relief efforts, and that FEMA money is instead going to care for illegal immigrants.
“I don’t know,” said Mr. Biden shook his head, “I don’t know. You can guess, but I found it — I’ve used this phrase more than I’ve used in my entire life — un-American. It’s not American. It’s not who we are. What are they talking about?”
David E. Sanger Contributed report.
