A resident of Asheville, North Carolina, voiced his frustration with the Biden administration’s response to Hurricane Helene, accusing the federal government of prioritizing migrants over American citizens. The hurricane, which ravaged parts of the Southeast, left many without homes, and some survivors are calling the federal aid response too little, too late.
Jordan Lanning, speaking on “Jesse Watters Primetime,” expressed disappointment at the five-day delay in receiving federal assistance. Lanning criticized President Joe Biden for what he sees as an inadequate response to the disaster. “It took them five days to get here. And it took five days for Biden to come here,” Lanning said, adding that the president did not even visit the hardest-hit areas personally. “He had to fly over on his way to Raleigh. It’s disgraceful.”
Lanning’s anger reflects a growing sentiment among those affected by the storm who feel that the administration has turned its back on American citizens. He described a disconnect between the federal government and the communities impacted, saying, “They tell us what we need instead of listening to us.”
The administration offered a one-time $750 payment for essentials, such as food and baby supplies, to storm victims. However, Lanning and others believe this aid falls short of what is needed to recover from the devastation. Many survivors have lost their homes and personal belongings, and the offered assistance does not reflect the true scale of their losses. “There’s people that have lost everything… They can do more than that,” Lanning said, calling the support “not worth anything.”
The anger has been further fueled by the federal government’s allocation of resources to migrants. When asked about the financial aid being directed toward migrants, Lanning expressed a sense of betrayal. “They’re putting other people before their own. I feel betrayed. I feel like we’re not worth it to them,” he remarked.
Since Hurricane Helene struck last week, it has caused widespread destruction, resulting in over 130 deaths and hundreds still missing. With FEMA’s disaster relief funds stretched thin after spending over $1 billion on migrant assistance in recent years, many Americans feel they are being left behind.
