Florida Governor Ron DeSantis on Thursday criticized Vice President Kamala Harris for trying to intervene in the response to Hurricanes Helen and Milton.
Mr. DeSantis and Ms. Harris have clashed in recent days after the governor refused to take a call from Ms. Harris regarding the hurricane response. He said Thursday that Harris had “no role” in the process, adding that he had never attempted to call Harris during past storms in Florida. .
“I'm working with the president of the United States. I'm working with the director of FEMA. We've been doing this nonstop for over two weeks,” DeSantis said Thursday.
“I've worked well with the president, but she never called Florida. She never offered to help,” he said of Harris. “I don't have time for games like that. I'm not interested in her campaign. Of course I'm not her supporter, but she isn't. She has no role in this process. So I are working with her.'' These are the people I need to work with. ”
Ron DeSantis: 51 counties are under state of emergency.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis said Vice President Kamala Harris had “no role” in the response to Hurricanes Helen and Milton. (AP/Chris O'Meara)
The argument between DeSantis and Harris reached the White House press office on Wednesday, and a reporter asked President Biden if it was the governor's responsibility to respond to the vice president's calls.
Tropicana field roof torn apart by Hurricane Milton
“All I can say is that I spoke to Governor DeSantis,” Biden responded. “He was very kind. He appreciated everything we've done. He knows what we're doing and I think that's important.”
Harris has faced criticism for trying to intervene in the response to hurricanes Helen and Milton. (Left: Jim Vondruska/Getty Images, Right: Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)
Since Hurricane Helen began making landfall in the Southeast two weeks ago, followed by Hurricane Milton late Wednesday, Biden has held multiple phone calls with DeSantis and Tampa Mayor Jane.・Told Mr. Caster to “call him directly'' if he needed further assistance. It is necessary.
Hurricane Milton Force St. Louis St. Petersburg Crane Collapse
Meanwhile, DeSantis said Tuesday morning that all federal requests for further aid have been met.
Florida has deployed approximately 10,000 National Guard troops in response to Hurricane Milton. (Tampa Bay Times, via AP)
Harris accused DeSantis of “playing politics” during the hurricane.
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“People are in dire need of help right now, and in this moment of crisis, they are using this moment to play political games. This is the height of the emergency,” Harris told reporters on Monday. That's completely irresponsible and selfish.”
By contrast, Biden called the Florida governor “supportive.”
