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Tuesday, November 12, 2024

KRISTI NOEM PLAYBOOK---Senate Confirmation Hearings for DHS-- PERPLEXITY AI-CAPSULE


WHITE LIGHTNING OFFICE OF POLITICAL INFORMATION//11/12/24/1010PST

fema funds transfer to immigration disinfo

     #KristiNoem DHS Nominee 11/12/24/0830PST: How will  #Trump appointee respond to Senate confirmation on election disinfo of #FEMA funds transfer for #immigration, traced to GOP candidate, placing millions in path of #HurricaneHelene recovery?  AI-Cap: https://shorturl.at/IJtiD


Perplexity AI-Capsule:


     (Begin AI) In recent days, there has been widespread misinformation circulating about the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and its disaster relief funds, particularly in relation to Hurricane Helene recovery efforts and immigration issues. Here's a summary of the situation:





False Claims

Former* President Donald Trump and some of his allies have been spreading false claims that:

  1. FEMA disaster relief funds were diverted to support migrants or border-related issues13.

  2. FEMA has run out of money for hurricane recovery due to spending on migrants4.


The Facts

These claims are demonstrably false:

  1. No disaster relief funding has been used to support migrants or housing services34.

  2. FEMA's disaster response efforts and individual assistance are funded through the Disaster Relief Fund, which is a dedicated fund for disaster efforts5.

  3. The Disaster Relief Fund money has not been diverted to other, non-disaster related efforts5.


Separate Funding Sources

The confusion seems to stem from misunderstanding two distinct funding sources:

  1. FEMA's Disaster Relief Fund: Used exclusively for disaster recovery efforts16.

  2. Shelter and Services Program (SSP): A separate program funded by Customs and Border Protection to assist communities dealing with migrant influxes17.


FEMA's Response

FEMA has taken steps to counter this misinformation:

  1. Created a fact-checking page on its website45.

  2. FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell publicly refuted these claims, calling them "ridiculous and just plain false"4.


Impact of Misinformation

The spread of such false information can have serious consequences:

  1. It may discourage disaster survivors from seeking necessary assistance6.

  2. It undermines trust in government agencies during critical times4.


Historical Context

Ironically, in 2019, the Trump administration actually did attempt to divert some FEMA funds for border-related purposes:

  1. Trump's administration informed Congress of plans to shift $271 million from DHS, including $155 million from FEMA's Disaster Relief Fund, for immigration-related expenses3.

  2. This move was criticized by Democratic leaders at the time3.

It's crucial for the public to rely on official sources and fact-check information, especially during times of crisis and natural disasters. Misinformation can hinder recovery efforts and potentially harm those in need of assistance.


How did the misinformation about FEMA funds and migrants start


The misinformation about FEMA funds being diverted to support migrants largely originated from false claims made by former President Donald Trump and some of his supporters. These claims suggested that the Biden administration was using FEMA's disaster relief funds to house illegal migrants, which is not true124.


How the Misinformation Started

  1. Trump's Claims: During rallies and public statements, Trump falsely alleged that FEMA disaster funds were being redirected to support migrants. He claimed that the Biden administration had misappropriated these funds, which contributed to FEMA's supposed lack of resources for hurricane recovery efforts12.

  2. Historical Context: Ironically, Trump himself attempted a similar action in 2019 when his administration proposed shifting $271 million, including $155 million from FEMA's Disaster Relief Fund, to cover costs associated with immigration enforcement at the southern border25. This historical action may have fueled the plausibility of his current claims among supporters.

  3. Media Amplification: These unfounded claims were further amplified by conservative media outlets and figures like Elon Musk, who shared and supported these assertions on social media platforms12.

  4. Confusion Between Funding Sources: The misinformation may also stem from a misunderstanding between two separate funding programs: FEMA's Disaster Relief Fund and the Shelter and Services Program (SSP). The SSP is funded through Customs and Border Protection and is meant to assist communities facing an influx of migrants, but it is entirely separate from FEMA's disaster relief efforts15.


Impact of Misinformation

  • Public Confusion: The spread of these false claims has led to confusion among the public, potentially discouraging disaster survivors from seeking necessary assistance.

  • Government Response: Both FEMA and the White House have actively worked to debunk these myths by clarifying that no disaster relief funds have been diverted for migrant services45. They have emphasized that funding for migrant services comes from a separate budget allocated by Congress.

This misinformation highlights the challenges faced by government agencies in combating false narratives during times of crisis, which can undermine public trust and hinder effective disaster response efforts.  (End AI)


*Note the AI addresses President Trump as "Former" in the first section of the AI in "False Claims."

WHITE LIGHTNING OFFICE OF POLITICAL INFORMATION//11/12/24/1010PST

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