'It's completely irresponsible and selfish' – People are angry at Ron DeSantis for refusing to respond to Kamala Harris' hurricane relief calls

After Hurricane Helene devastated parts of Florida Despite it While debris is being cleared and residents are currently facing evacuation orders due to the approaching Hurricane Milton, Gov. Ron DeSantis is apparently refusing to pick up calls from the White House for relief supplies.

During a press conference on Monday, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre confirmed that calls from President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris regarding hurricane relief efforts remain unanswered. She said, “It’s up to him whether he wants to answer us or not.”

“The president took care of Hurricane Helene. He held out his hand. It's up to the governor. It’s really up to the governor.”

“We will do the work,” said Jean-Pierre. “We will continue to speak with local and state officials, that is also important, we will position ourselves in advance as Hurricane Milton approaches Florida.”

For his part, a DeSantis aide told NBC News that the governor was reviewing calls from Harris because they “seemed political.” They said, “Kamala tried to reach us, but we didn’t respond.”

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Asked by reporters about DeSantis' decision to ignore calls offering “resources and help,” Harris said: “Moments of crisis should, if nothing else, really be the moment that anyone who calls themselves a leader , says he will put politics aside and put people first.

“People are in dire need of support now and are playing political games at this moment… This is completely irresponsible and selfish and it's about political games rather than doing the job you swore an oath to do.”

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People reacting to the news in real time often expressed similar sentiments. One person wrote: “What a dastardly act to do to the residents of the very state you are supposed to govern and help in times of need!”

Twitter: @SaintLaurant

Others said this was childish behavior.

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“DeSantis is like a petulant 12-year-old,” one person wrote. “This is the kind of shit you expect in 7th grade.”

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They believe DeSantis “chooses politics over life”

Twitter: @danzu72

…and that his role in ignoring offers of help makes DeSantis a “major disaster” for the state.

Twitter: @coenand

As the debate continued, some expressed irritation at future conversations where they could imagine Republican leaders blaming the current administration for a lack of relief despite their efforts.

Twitter: @JoeSteelerFan

And residents hope their neighbors will remember this moment when it's time to vote.

Twitter: @LaundryPrncss

Be sure to follow the National Weather Service for updates on the storm.