Trump aide describes ‘strong ground game in place’ on Puerto Rico

White House homeland security adviser Tom Bossert said the federal government has “a strong ground game” in Puerto Rico in the wake of Hurricane Maria, despite dire reports from residents and journalists on the island. 

“We have a strong ground game in place on the island with military leadership. [Puerto Rico Gov. Ricardo] Rossello should continue to get more public messaging support from us,” Bossert said in a memo obtained by Axios on Sunday. 

“The storm caused these problems, not our response to it. We have pushed about as much stuff and people through a tiny hole in as short a timeframe as possible,” he also said in the update. 

Bossert’s comments come as the administration is under intense scrutiny for its response to the humanitarian crisis on the U.S. territory. 

Aid, including food and water, have been slow to reach victims of the storm, which left the entire island virtually without power. 

Trump has touted the government’s response to the crisis, and accused the news media of falsely reporting on the situation. 

We have done a great job with the almost impossible situation in Puerto Rico. Outside of the Fake News or politically motivated ingrates,…

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 1, 2017

…people are now starting to recognize the amazing work that has been done by FEMA and our great Military. All buildings now inspected…..

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 1, 2017

…for safety. Thank you to the Governor of P.R. and to all of those who are working so closely with our First Responders. Fantastic job!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 1, 2017

San Juan Mayor Carmen Yulín Cruz issued an emotional plea for help on Friday, while condemning the government’s inefficient response.

“I will do what I never thought I was going to do. I am begging, begging anyone who can hear us to save us from dying. If anybody out there is listening to us, we are dying, and you are killing us with the inefficiency,” she said. 

Trump responded with a slew of tweets on Saturday accusing Cruz of showing poor leadership in the face of the disaster and accusing Puerto Rican leaders of wanting the government to do everything for them.