Harris criticizes DeSantis as ‘selfish’ for ignoring her hurricane relief calls
A second hurricane in just two weeks is approaching Florida and is expected to make landfall on Wednesday.
TroibNews 
Vice President Kamala Harris criticized Florida Governor Ron DeSantis on Monday for “playing political games” after reports indicated that DeSantis did not take her calls regarding hurricane relief efforts.
“Playing political games at this moment in these crisis situations — these are the height of emergency situations — is just utterly irresponsible and it is selfish and it is about political gamesmanship,” Harris stated to reporters before heading to New York.
An NBC News report claimed that DeSantis was not responding to Harris’ calls concerning storm recovery, citing an unnamed aide to the governor. The inquiry comes as Florida copes with the aftermath of Hurricane Helene and prepares for Hurricane Milton this week.
Harris did not contest the NBC News information, asserting that “moments of crisis, if nothing else, should be the moment that anyone who calls himself a leader says they’re going to put politics aside and put the people first.”
In response, DeSantis stated that he was unaware of Harris’ attempts to reach him, saying, “I didn't know that she had called. I'm not sure who they called. They didn't call me. It wasn't anything that anybody in my office did, in terms of saying it was political."
Later on Monday, the White House revealed that President Joe Biden managed to speak with DeSantis regarding recovery efforts for Helene and preparations for Milton. According to a pool report, Biden encouraged DeSantis to reach out directly if he required additional support.
The conflict between the White House and DeSantis follows Biden's visit to Florida last week to assess the damage caused by Hurricane Helene. DeSantis, however, opted to hold a press event in another storm-affected area, marking the second instance he has bypassed a presidential visit from Biden following a hurricane.
The governor similarly did not accompany Biden during the tour of damage after Hurricane Idalia last year, despite being a presidential candidate at the time.
“We were in Florida, we invited the governor of Florida to come, it was his decision not to attend,” White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters on Monday. “The president has reached out around Hurricane Helene. He reached out. It is up to the governor, it is really up to the governor.”
Hurricane Helene made landfall less than two weeks ago in Florida’s Big Bend region, with the state capital of Tallahassee narrowly avoiding a direct hit. Despite Helene's northern landfall, significant flooding and damage occurred along much of Florida’s Gulf Coast. The storm swept through the southeastern United States, causing power outages for millions, at least 200 fatalities, and isolating mountainous communities, particularly in western North Carolina.
As for Hurricane Milton, it is forecasted to impact Florida this Wednesday. The storm quickly intensified to a Category 5 hurricane on Monday and could potentially make landfall in Tampa Bay, a more densely populated area than Big Bend. Although forecasts predict some weakening before it reaches the state, federal and state officials have consistently warned residents about the substantial danger it poses, urging Floridians to adhere to local evacuation orders.
Debra A Smith contributed to this report for TROIB News
“Playing political games at this moment in these crisis situations — these are the height of emergency situations — is just utterly irresponsible and it is selfish and it is about political gamesmanship,” Harris stated to reporters before heading to New York.
An NBC News report claimed that DeSantis was not responding to Harris’ calls concerning storm recovery, citing an unnamed aide to the governor. The inquiry comes as Florida copes with the aftermath of Hurricane Helene and prepares for Hurricane Milton this week.
Harris did not contest the NBC News information, asserting that “moments of crisis, if nothing else, should be the moment that anyone who calls himself a leader says they’re going to put politics aside and put the people first.”
In response, DeSantis stated that he was unaware of Harris’ attempts to reach him, saying, “I didn't know that she had called. I'm not sure who they called. They didn't call me. It wasn't anything that anybody in my office did, in terms of saying it was political."
Later on Monday, the White House revealed that President Joe Biden managed to speak with DeSantis regarding recovery efforts for Helene and preparations for Milton. According to a pool report, Biden encouraged DeSantis to reach out directly if he required additional support.
The conflict between the White House and DeSantis follows Biden's visit to Florida last week to assess the damage caused by Hurricane Helene. DeSantis, however, opted to hold a press event in another storm-affected area, marking the second instance he has bypassed a presidential visit from Biden following a hurricane.
The governor similarly did not accompany Biden during the tour of damage after Hurricane Idalia last year, despite being a presidential candidate at the time.
“We were in Florida, we invited the governor of Florida to come, it was his decision not to attend,” White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters on Monday. “The president has reached out around Hurricane Helene. He reached out. It is up to the governor, it is really up to the governor.”
Hurricane Helene made landfall less than two weeks ago in Florida’s Big Bend region, with the state capital of Tallahassee narrowly avoiding a direct hit. Despite Helene's northern landfall, significant flooding and damage occurred along much of Florida’s Gulf Coast. The storm swept through the southeastern United States, causing power outages for millions, at least 200 fatalities, and isolating mountainous communities, particularly in western North Carolina.
As for Hurricane Milton, it is forecasted to impact Florida this Wednesday. The storm quickly intensified to a Category 5 hurricane on Monday and could potentially make landfall in Tampa Bay, a more densely populated area than Big Bend. Although forecasts predict some weakening before it reaches the state, federal and state officials have consistently warned residents about the substantial danger it poses, urging Floridians to adhere to local evacuation orders.
Debra A Smith contributed to this report for TROIB News
