Biden disputes Harris’s claim about DeSantis’s cooperation during hurricane response
WASHINGTON — President Biden contradicted Vice President Kamala Harris on Monday after she suggested that Florida Governor Ron DeSantis was not returning her calls regarding the state’s hurricane relief efforts. In a statement, Biden emphasized DeSantis’s cooperation with federal officials and expressed satisfaction with their communication.
“He’s gotten all that he needs,” Biden said of DeSantis. “I talked to him again yesterday, and I said, ‘No, you’re doing a great job. It’s all being done well. We thank you for it.’” Biden added that he provided his personal phone number to DeSantis, underscoring their direct communication.
Harris had earlier criticized the lack of communication from DeSantis, implying that the Florida governor was prioritizing politics over the needs of residents affected by the storm. “People are in desperate need of support right now, and playing political games with this moment in these crisis situations… it is selfish,” she said during an event.
DeSantis, in response, dismissed Harris’s remarks, accusing her of politicizing the storm for her presidential campaign. He emphasized that his focus had been on working with Biden and federal emergency agencies, not on Harris. “She has no role in this. In fact, she’s been vice president for three and a half years,” DeSantis said in a statement. “I’ve dealt with a number of storms under this administration. She has never contributed anything to any of these efforts.”
The exchange between the two Democratic leaders and the Florida governor comes amid preparations for another hurricane, as Florida coordinates relief efforts with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). DeSantis reassured residents that Florida has received all necessary resources from the federal government to respond to the storm.
