Maryland Governor Criticizes FEMA's Denial of Aid to Flood-Hit Western Maryland as Political
Maryland Gov. Wes Moore labels FEMA's refusal to provide federal emergency aid to flood-damaged Western Maryland as a politically motivated decision, sparking bipartisan concern and calls for an appeal.
Maryland Gov. Wes Moore (D) has sharply criticized the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) decision to deny federal emergency aid to Western Maryland, areas severely affected by flooding in May, calling the move petty, partisan, and punishing. The denial has prompted a 90-minute meeting among state, federal, and local officials at a Westernport restaurant, where the consensus was the decision delivered a 'gut punch' to the region, though opinions diverged on the motivations behind FEMA's action.
Sen. Mike McKay (R-Western Maryland) expressed uncertainty about the reasons for the rejection but dismissed the idea of political motives. Conversely, Gov. Moore attributed the denial directly to President Donald Trump (R), asserting the decision lacked justification, especially compared to West Virginia's approval for similar damages. This incident marks a continuation of Moore's vocal opposition to the Trump administration's handling of federal aid requests.
The meeting at Port West Restaurant, a local business impacted by the May floods but since reopened, included Rep. April McClain Delaney (D-6th) and Westernport Mayor Judy Hamilton, highlighting the community's resilience and the ongoing debate over federal support in disaster recovery efforts.