On the Fox News Rundown podcast with Chris Foster, DC insider Michael Whatley downplayed his failure as the “Western North Carolina recovery czar” after being pressed on the lack of federal relief for Western North Carolina communities:

Chris Foster: You’re on this FEMA Review Council. President Trump has said look, let’s give disaster aid– more control over that to the states. They know what’s going on on the ground. Now there are people in Western North Carolina that are still waiting for help from Hurricane Helene. That was a year and a week or two ago that that hit. What do you tell people there, including Republicans, that are frustrated with the lack of help?

Michael Whatley: Well, there has been a lot of help…

The federal government has withheld millions of dollars in relief and has only covered 11 percent of needs despite covering 70 percent of damages after Katrina, Maria, and Sandy.

Western North Carolinians have made it clear Whatley has failed them:

• • WYFF: More than 100 WNC residents request to remove Michael Whatley from FEMA Review Council
  • WLOS: ‘Our needs are urgent’: WNC residents say Michael Whatley isn’t helping after Helene
  • Charlotte Observer: Whatley invokes faith, Trump ties in WNC as Helene recovery remains incomplete
    • “Some protesters accused Whatley of prioritizing his campaign over helping Western North Carolina.”
  • Smoky Mountain News: Whatley backs away from Helene role during first WNC visit
    • “His absence from storm-damaged areas, coupled with his reluctance to answer direct questions has eroded confidence in Whatley’s leadership.”
  • Charlotte Observer: Michael Whatley brags about Helene recovery efforts in new ad. Here are the facts | Opinion 
    • “As far as anyone can tell, his participation in recovery efforts has been limited to his attendance at a few meetings…Needless to say, many western North Carolina residents are frustrated.”

Republicans Ted Budd and Chuck Edwards have also sounded the alarm over the delays in federal relief, with Budd calling it a “problem” that “should not have been allowed.” 

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