News Wrap: FEMA administrator pushes for investigation into political bias at agency

In our news wrap Tuesday, FEMA’s administrator said she is pushing for an investigation into political bias in her agency’s relief efforts, the transgender bathroom debate reached the U.S. Capitol building as a Republican lawmaker attempts to ban Democrat Sarah McBride from using women’s restrooms and a top U.S. diplomat says a truce between Israel and Hezbollah is ‘within our grasp.’
Amna Nawaz:
The day’s other headlines start on Capitol Hill, where FEMA’s administrator said she’s pushing for an investigation into political bias in her agency’s relief efforts.
Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH):
Seems to me it’s part of a mind-set that’s in government.
Amna Nawaz:
In two separate hearings today, House members grilled Deanne Criswell about a FEMA employee who was fired earlier this month. A text message shows the person directed workers to — quote — “avoid homes advertising Trump” while providing hurricane relief in Florida.
The employee has said she was following FEMA’s security guidelines after workers reported hostility from certain residents. Republican lawmakers expressed concern that the employee’s actions indicate widespread bias within the agency.
Rep. Byron Donalds (R-FL):
She had given multiple interviews where she claimed that avoiding politically hostile homes is commonplace throughout FEMA. Is this a practice at FEMA?
Deanne Criswell, FEMA Administrator:
Congressman, there is nothing in any of our policies, our training, or our information sent out to our field workers to avoid any home for whatever reason, especially not because of a political affiliation. The actions of this one individual are not representative of the work that we do at FEMA.
Amna Nawaz:
Criswell has also said she ordered the inspector general to do a full review of the incident in question. The hearings come a day after President Biden requested $40 billion in additional funding from Congress for FEMA’s ongoing response to Hurricanes Helene and Milton.
The transgender bathroom debate has now reached the U.S. Capitol Building, as a Republican effort unfolds that would ban Democrat Sarah McBride from using women’s restrooms. Two weeks ago, she became the first trans lawmaker elected to Congress.
GOP Representative Nancy Mace wrote the resolution. Today, she told reporters the bill is specifically aimed at McBride.
Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC):
I have PTSD from the abuse I have suffered at the hands of a man, and I know how vulnerable women and girls are in private spaces. So I’m absolutely, 100 percent going to stand in the way of any man who wants to be in a women’s restroom, in our locker rooms, in our changing rooms. I will be there fighting every step of the way.
Amna Nawaz:
House Speaker Mike Johnson signaled support for the bill. Democrats, including McBride herself, denounced it as bullying and as a distraction from other issues.
A top U.S. diplomat says that a truce between Israel and Hezbollah is — quote — “within our grasp.” Special envoy Amos Hochstein met with Lebanese officials today in the capital city of Beirut to discuss the latest U.S. cease-fire plan. Just a day earlier, both Hezbollah and the Lebanese government signaled an openness to that proposal.
Hochstein urged all parties, including Israel, to act swiftly.
Amos Hochstein, White House Special Envoy to Lebanon: We have a real opportunity to bring this conflict to an end. This is a moment of decision-making. I’m here in Beirut to facilitate that decision, but it’s ultimately the decision of the parties to reach a conclusion to this conflict. It is now within our grasp.
Amna Nawaz:
Just hours before today’s talks, an Israeli airstrike killed five people in Central Beirut. It was the third strike on the heart of Lebanon’s capital in just the last two days.
Separately, Iran has reportedly increased its weapons-grade uranium stockpile, despite international demands to scale back its nuclear program. That’s according to a confidential report from the U.N.’s nuclear watchdog, which was seen by the Associated Press. The State Department today would not deny that report.
Foreign governments and human rights groups have denounced the sentencing of 45 pro-democracy activists in Hong Kong. The former lawmakers and protesters received prison terms ranging from four to 10 years for their roles in an unofficial primary vote back in 2020. They were accused of trying to paralyze Hong Kong’s government under a Beijing-imposed national security law.
The U.S. Consulate in Hong Kong condemned the sentences, calling for authorities to — quote — “cease politically motivated prosecutions of Hong Kong citizens and to immediately release all political prisoners.”
But, in Beijing, China’s Foreign Ministry defended the outcome.
Lin Jian, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson (through interpreter):
No one should be allowed to use democracy as a pretext to engage in unlawful activities and escape justice. Certain Western countries ignore the fact that they maintain their own national security through judicial procedures, but unreasonably criticize Hong Kong courts for fairly implementing the Hong Kong national security law.
Amna Nawaz:
The law took effect four years ago, and critics say it’s led to a crackdown on free speech in the former British colony.
Back in this country, prosecutors are urging the judge in Donald Trump’s hush money case not to dismiss his criminal conviction following his election victory. Instead, they’re open to delaying his sentencing until after Trump leaves office. It had been scheduled for next week.
In a letter, the Manhattan district attorney’s office said that while it realizes Trump’s return to the White House — quote — “will raise unprecedented legal questions, we also deeply respect the fundamental role of the jury in our constitutional system.”
Trump was convicted on 34 counts of falsifying business records back in May. Judge Juan Merchan has not signaled when he will make a final decision.
In the meantime, Trump spent today near Brownsville, Texas, with Elon Musk. The pair attended a Starship rocket launch by Musk’s company, SpaceX. It’s the latest sign of the significant role the billionaire has taken within Trump’s orbit. Musk has been an ever-present companion to Trump, staying at his Mar-a-Lago estate, attending events, and even weighing in on staffing for the new administration.
On Wall Street today, stocks ended mixed. The Dow Jones industrial average slipped more than 100 points. The Nasdaq, however, jumped nearly 200 points, or about 1 percent. The S&P 500 also ended higher on the day.