The White House criticized Florida Governor Ron DeSantis for not responding to calls from President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris as they continue hurricane recovery efforts and prepare for another storm. White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre mentioned that it is up to the governor whether he wants to respond to them or not. Vice President Harris has tried reaching out to DeSantis multiple times, but he has not taken her calls. DeSantis also declined to join President Biden in surveying storm damage last week, instead opting to hold a press conference elsewhere.
In the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, President Biden has reached out to DeSantis for assistance, but the governor has not responded. The White House, Harris’ campaign, and DeSantis’ office have been contacted for details about the outreach attempts. This is not the first time DeSantis has avoided meeting with Biden after a natural disaster, as he also declined a meeting in 2023 following Hurricane Idalia. FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell discussed preparations for the incoming Hurricane Milton with DeSantis on Sunday, despite his track record of not responding to calls from top officials.
Despite DeSantis’ lack of response, the federal government remains committed to disaster recovery efforts in Florida. The focus is on providing support to the affected communities and ensuring they have the necessary resources. The White House emphasized that they are working closely with state and local officials to be prepared for the impact of Hurricane Milton. The federal government is prepared to provide a robust all-of-government response to assist the communities in need, regardless of DeSantis’ actions or lack of response to calls from the president and vice president.
It remains unclear why DeSantis has not responded to calls from President Biden and Vice President Harris during these critical times. The governor’s decision to decline meetings and not participate in recovery efforts with top officials raises questions about his priorities and willingness to collaborate in times of crisis. The federal government’s commitment to disaster recovery in Florida highlights the importance of cooperation between state and federal authorities in providing support to affected communities. DeSantis’ actions, or lack thereof, leave the responsibility on him to explain his decisions and determine the best course of action moving forward.
