Karine Jean-Pierre, White House press secretary, defended President Joe Biden’s inability to communicate with Republican Florida Governor. Ron DeSantis on Hurricane Ian.
Kelly O’Donnell, NBC News senior White House correspondent, asked Jean-Pierre if he believes it important to communicate with DeSantis about a possible crisis arising from Hurricane Irma. According to the press secretary, the administration can provide assistance to those in crisis without having to communicate with local politicians.
According to the press secretary, “What the president believes” is that it is crucial that federal resources are available for Florida’s people. That is the most important thing. To ensure that they are available in times of need. That’s why President Obama reacted immediately to ensure that we can surge resources before landing.
“So that’s the most important thing. It’s about Floridians, not public officials, especially at this time. He’s going to keep that promise and you’ve seen him do that over 19 months when there has been extreme weather, and extreme events again in red states or blue states. And he has done his duty as president to ensure that we are there to support the people in the state.”
The reporter asked her if the lack of communication between DeSantis, and Biden would hamper relief efforts. She noted that Biden had not spoken to the Republican Mississippi Governor. Tate Reeves in the recent water crisis that struck Jackson, Mississippi. Residents were left with unfit drinking water or no running water.
Kelly O., the governor of Mississippi, said, “And so that’s an excellent example. Jean-Pierre replied, “They didn’t talk and we still were capable of delivering for the people in Jackson and the folks from Mississippi.” You had your EPA administrator on the ground, and FEMA [Federal Emergency Management Agency] managers on the ground, and they were not only them but also people who work for these two agencies. You also had the Army Corps. of Engineers. You had the full power and authority of the administration. We increased our resources on the ground in order to do everything we could to help the people of Mississippi. It’s the same thing, it doesn’t matter what.
According to the Orlando Sentinel, the National Hurricane Center stated that the storm has sustained winds of 85 mph and is moving north-northwest at 13 miles per hour. DeSantis stated that 5,000 members from the Florida National Guard were deployed and 2,000 additional troops from nearby states to prepare for the storm’s impact.
The Hill reported that Biden declared a state-of-emergency Saturday as Hurricane Irma draws closer to Florida. The President directed FEMA and DHS to provide federal emergency assistance to Florida.
The Hill reported that the Florida governor also extended a state emergency originally intended for certain counties to cover the entire state.
