The White House criticized Florida Governor Ron DeSantis for not responding to calls from President Biden and Vice President Harris during hurricane recovery efforts and preparation for another storm. White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre mentioned that it is up to DeSantis to decide whether to respond to them or not. Despite multiple attempts by Harris to reach out to DeSantis after Hurricane Helene, the governor did not take her calls. Similarly, when Biden visited Florida to survey storm damage, DeSantis declined to join him and held a separate press conference elsewhere.
DeSantis has a history of avoiding meetings with Biden after natural disasters, as he also declined to meet with the president during Hurricane Idalia in 2023 despite Biden’s intention to meet with him. FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell recently spoke with DeSantis regarding preparations for Hurricane Milton, scheduled to hit Florida on Wednesday. The federal government remains committed to disaster recovery in the state, regardless of whether DeSantis responds to calls from the president and vice president.
The White House, Harris campaign, and DeSantis’ office have been contacted for details on the outreach between Biden, Harris, and DeSantis. NBC News first reported DeSantis not taking Harris’ calls, and it is unclear why the governor has avoided meeting with Biden in the past following natural disasters. Despite DeSantis’ reluctance to engage with federal officials, assistance and support are being offered to ensure the safety and well-being of Florida residents during the ongoing hurricane season.
The press secretary emphasized the federal government’s commitment to providing a robust all-of-government response to support communities impacted by hurricanes in Florida. It is crucial for state and local officials to work together with federal agencies to pre-position resources and coordinate efforts for effective disaster response and recovery. Although DeSantis has the autonomy to decide how to proceed in responding to calls from the president and vice president, federal officials are prepared to assist in any way necessary to support the affected communities.
The current focus is on hurricane recovery efforts in Florida, with preparations underway for the incoming Hurricane Milton. While DeSantis’ lack of response to calls from Biden and Harris has raised concerns, the White House remains dedicated to working with state and local authorities to ensure that resources are available to assist those in need. As the state braces for another storm, collaboration between all levels of government is essential to address the challenges posed by natural disasters and protect the well-being of Florida residents.
