### Biden Administration Refutes Trump's Claims on Hurricane Helene Recovery Efforts

In the wake of Hurricane Helene's devastation across Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, and other states, the Biden administration is firmly addressing unsubstantiated assertions made by former President Donald Trump regarding the federal response. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator Deanne Criswell appeared on ABC's "This Week" to debunk Trump's allegations, ensuring the public that FEMA has sufficient resources to manage the disaster.

Criswell categorically dismissed Trump's claims that FEMA funds have been diverted to assist undocumented immigrants, labeling these assertions as "frankly ridiculous and just plain false." She emphasized the potential harm of such rhetoric, stating, "This kind of rhetoric is not helpful to people. It's really a shame that we're putting politics ahead of helping people." She also noted that state and local officials have denounced the narrative, calling it "truly dangerous and a creator of unnecessary fear."

Trump has repeatedly made unfounded statements about the Helene recovery during recent events. During a rally in Saginaw, Michigan, he claimed that Vice President Kamala Harris had allocated billions of FEMA dollars for housing undocumented immigrants, thereby depleting the agency’s disaster relief funds. "They have almost no money because they spent it all on illegal immigrants," Trump asserted, further alleging that the money was misappropriated.

According to FEMA, its Shelter and Services Program does provide financial support to non-federal entities for humanitarian aid to noncitizen migrants, but this fund is distinctly separate from disaster relief funds and totals $650 million for the year. The White House has firmly clarified that no disaster response money has been diverted. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas assured reporters that FEMA is adequately funded to address current disaster needs but cautioned about potential future shortages if more storms occur during the season.

President Biden has advised Congress that additional funding is necessary for FEMA to continue its long-term recovery activities. He warned that without more resources, FEMA would have to prioritize urgent needs over extended recovery efforts. Recently, Congress approved $20 billion for disaster relief, although Biden emphasized the necessity for further support, particularly for the Small Business Administration.

House Speaker Mike Johnson acknowledged on "Fox News Sunday" that Congress will aid disaster-prone areas and concurred that the funding streams for FEMA’s Shelter and Services Program are separate from disaster relief. However, he critiqued the agency’s allocation of any funds toward resettling undocumented immigrants.

Former President Trump continued his criticism of the Helene recovery efforts at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, specifically targeting the $750 assistance payments provided by FEMA for immediate needs. "Remember, $750 to people whose homes have been washed away, and yet we send tens of millions of dollars to foreign countries that most people have never heard of," Trump commented. The White House clarified that this amount is intended to cover essential items like food, water, and medication while additional eligibility assessments are conducted for further aid.

Lara Trump, responding to questions about her father-in-law's claims on CNN's "State of the Union," supported the criticism by highlighting anecdotal evidence from residents. She mentioned online videos showing individuals in the affected regions expressing their need for assistance. Despite this, Senator Thom Tillis praised the attention and efforts directed towards regions impacted by Helene, emphasizing a positive response to the disaster.

The controversy over Hurricane Helene's recovery has become a significant issue in the presidential campaign, illustrating the intersection of disaster management and politics.