CBP Director in MI accused of running FEMA scheme

The hits just keep coming for Democrats in terms of exposed corruption.  

Trump has targeted FEMA for elimination after Musk claimed millions in possible fraud, and now the Director of the Customs and Border Protection office in Michigan has been accused of a fraud scheme with FEMA after her home had been damaged in a flood.  

Musk Claims FEMA Fraud 

Along with USAID, one of the first announcements made by Musk regarding government waste and possible fraud was FEMA.  

Musk posted, “The @DOGE team just discovered that FEMA sent $59M LAST WEEK to luxury hotels in New York City to house illegal migrants. Sending this money violated the law and is in gross insubordination to the President’s executive order.  

“That money is meant for American disaster relief and instead is being spent on high-end hotels for illegals! A clawback demand will be made today to recoup those funds.” 

Democrats immediately pushed back and the media, of course, claimed this was all lies and everything was either outright wrong or being mischaracterized by the Trump administration.  

Trump Wants to End FEMA 

FEMA has always been one of Trump’s favorite targets, and to be honest, the agency is really not helping itself in these matters.  

Now that he is president again, Trump has suggested ending FEMA and turning disaster relief over to the states.  

Proponents of the agency have pushed back. For example, Lynn Budd, director of the Wyoming Office of Homeland Security, stated, “I don’t think it makes sense to get rid of FEMA. There are economies of scale [that a nationwide agency provides]. States don’t have that capability built to handle a disaster every single year.” 

Vermont state Sen. Anne Watson added, “FEMA has been an absolute lifesaver for people. I don’t see [states and municipalities] as being able to replicate what FEMA does. The possibility of it going away leaves millions and millions of Americans in a very vulnerable position.” 

FEMA Fraud Exposed 

With all eyes on FEMA now, the agency could not afford to have a scandal, but that is what just happened.  

The Department of Justice has filed charges against the Michigan head of CBP, Serina Baker-Hill. FBI Director Kash Patel stated, "Following efforts with our interagency partners, I can report that a career Director level employee at US Customs and Border Protection has been charged with allegedly attempting to defraud FEMA, as well as lying to federal agents. 

 "This is part of the new FBI’s renewed efforts to crack down on public corruption and deliver accountability for the American people. Justice will be done. Thanks to our partners @AGPamBondi @TheJusticeDept and our @FBIDetroit team for their work." 

I think most of us would agree that the idea of FEMA is good. This is exactly why we pay taxes, but when that money is wasted by the government or stolen, it is hard to make the case the agency should still be around. If FEMA is unable to better answer these emergencies and continues to be subject to fraud schemes like this, I am for the agency being overhauled or, as Trump has suggested, create funds for the states and allow their teams to run the show.