New reporting from the Associated Press reveals that current and former FEMA employees are sounding the alarm on the agency’s leadership and cuts to disaster preparedness  – but DC insider and FEMA “recovery czar” Michael Whatley is staying silent after facing criticism from western North Carolinians for failing to deliver federal Helene relief.

Last week, it was reported that Republicans’ “frustration” with FEMA’s delays in disaster relief had reached a “boiling point” – and Ted Budd is “one of the most vocal.”

“Everyone but DC insider Michael Whatley is sounding the alarm that western North Carolina is being left behind. Since he was put in charge of getting FEMA aid to communities recovering from Helene, Whatley has been absent, silent and a complete failure,” said Mallory Payne, senior communications advisor at the North Carolina Democratic Party. “North Carolinians know he doesn’t deserve to represent them in the U.S. Senate.”

Michael Whatley has failed western North Carolina as the federal Helene “recovery czar”:

• In January, DC insider Michael Whatley was put in charge of federal Helene recovery efforts – but the federal government is withholding hundreds of millions of dollars of relief, and only 11 percent of needs have been met in Western North Carolina.
  • Smoky Mountain News: Helene victims still waiting for Whatley
    • “Billions have been promised, but little has arrived. Whatley, charged by Trump to ensure things ‘go well,’ has done little to alter the fundamental trajectory of Helene recovery.”

• Ten months later, Western North Carolina communities are still left waiting on federal relief funds to be released and for Whatley to show up. 
  • 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 sounded the alarm over the delays in federal relief, with Budd calling it a “problem” that “should not have been allowed.” 

• Whatley refused to denounce Kristi Noem fast-tracking FEMA disaster relief to her Florida political donor – while Western North Carolina continues to wait for desperately needed federal aid.

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