DeSantis Defends His Refusal To Take Kamala Harris's Phone Calls About Hurricanes Helene And Milton

Photo credit: Gage Skidmore/CC BY-SA 2.0, via Flickr

DeSantis Defends Refusal to Take Kamala Harris's Calls About Hurricanes Helene and Milton

In a recent press briefing, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis addressed why he declined to take phone calls from Vice President Kamala Harris regarding Hurricanes Helene and Milton. The Governor faced questions from the media after reports surfaced suggesting that both President Joe Biden and Vice President Harris had attempted to reach out to him about the hurricanes, which have caused significant damage across Florida.

DeSantis emphasized that his priority has been coordinating the state's emergency response, not engaging in political distractions. He confirmed that while President Biden had called him earlier regarding Hurricane Helene, he wasn't aware of any subsequent attempts from either Biden or Harris to contact him. "Biden called me a couple of days ago when I was on a helicopter. I didn’t have any issues with that," DeSantis stated. "We’ve gotten all the approvals that we need."

When asked about Harris specifically, DeSantis responded, "I didn't know that she had called. They didn’t call me." He went on to downplay any suggestion that his office had intentionally ignored calls for political reasons, stating that his team has focused on securing necessary approvals and working with federal agencies, including FEMA, to ensure a swift recovery.

The governor dismissed the notion of politicizing the situation, refusing to answer questions related to political implications. "This is not a time for politics," he said firmly, before accusing some members of the press of trying to manufacture a political narrative. "We are focused on responding to a Category 4 hurricane and preparing for the potential impact of Milton. That should be the focus, not political angles."

Despite the controversy, DeSantis emphasized that his administration has been working diligently with local communities and federal authorities to manage the crisis. "We’ve gotten what we need from the feds. We’ve marshaled an incredible amount of resources in the state of Florida to get the job done, and that’s what we will continue to do," he concluded.

FAQs: DeSantis Defends Refusal to Take Kamala Harris's Calls About Hurricanes Helene and Milton

1. Why did Governor Ron DeSantis refuse to take Kamala Harris’s calls?

• Governor DeSantis stated that he was unaware of any calls made by Vice President Kamala Harris. He clarified that his focus was on managing the state’s response to Hurricanes Helene and Milton and coordinating with federal agencies like FEMA.

2. Did Governor DeSantis speak with President Biden?

• Yes, DeSantis mentioned that President Biden had called him regarding Hurricane Helene while he was on a helicopter. He had no issues with the conversation and confirmed that the state received the necessary approvals for federal assistance.

3. Was the refusal to take the calls politically motivated?

• DeSantis denied any political motivations behind the missed calls. He dismissed suggestions that his office had intentionally ignored the calls and accused the press of attempting to create a political narrative.

4. What did Governor DeSantis say about the federal response to the hurricanes?

• DeSantis said that Florida has received all the approvals it needs from federal authorities. He praised the coordination with FEMA and emphasized that his administration had marshaled significant resources to respond to the crisis.

5. Why is DeSantis reluctant to discuss political matters during this crisis?

• DeSantis stressed that responding to the hurricanes is his top priority and argued that this is "not a time for politics." He accused the media of twisting facts to fit a political agenda, asserting that the focus should remain on disaster recovery efforts.

6. What hurricanes are currently affecting Florida?

• The state of Florida is dealing with the impact of Hurricanes Helene and Milton, both of which are significant storms, with Milton potentially being even more severe than Helene.

7. How has DeSantis’s office managed the hurricane response so far?

• Governor DeSantis stated that his office has been working effectively with local communities and federal agencies, ensuring that all necessary resources have been deployed to manage the hurricanes.