This week, Michael Whatley admitted to the Smoky Mountain News that the FEMA Review Council he leads won’t actually help Western North Carolina recover from Hurricane Helene.

Read More in Smoky Mountain News:

“While conceding that ‘there are improvements that need to be made,’ he said the Trump administration’s creation of the FEMA Review Council is intended to correct past inadequacies and streamline future responses. Even though they won’t likely help Helene victims, they could help victims of future disasters recover more quickly, Whatley said.”

Whatley was put in charge of “making sure everything goes well” back in January. Ten months later, only 11% of recovery needs have been met, prompting calls from Western North Carolinians for Whatley to be replaced on the FEMA Review Council.

“After ten months, DC insider Michael Whatley is finally admitting the FEMA Review Council he leads isn’t helping Helene victims,” said Mallory Payne, senior communications advisor for the North Carolina Democratic Party. “It’s no wonder Western North Carolinians are calling on him to step down – he’s making excuses instead of doing the one job he has.”

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