DeSantis: Harris ‘trying to inject herself’ into Florida hurricane relief effort

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) accused Vice President Harris of trying to insert herself into the Hurricane Milton cleanup effort after the two traded barbs this week about the storm.

CNBC’s Andrew Ross Sorkin asked DeSantis about his communication with the vice president after Harris accused him of playing political games by not taking her calls to discuss Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton.

DeSantis responded that he is working with President Biden and Federal Emergency Management Agency Administrator Deanne Criswell, adding that he has worked directly with the president during previous storms.

“I didn’t even know she was trying to reach me, but she has no role in this process. And I’ve been dealing with these storms in Florida under both [former President] Trump and Biden. Neither of them ever politicized it. And, in fact, all the storms I’ve dealt with under this administration, although I’ve worked well with the president, she has never called in Florida. She has never offered any support,” DeSantis told CNBC.

He added, “So, what she’s doing is she’s trying to inject herself into this because of her political campaign. So, as the governor here, who’s leading this, I don’t have time for those games. I don’t care about her campaign. Obviously, I’m not a supporter of hers.”

Biden and DeSantis spoke earlier on Thursday about Hurricane Milton, which made landfall late Wednesday. According to the White House, DeSantis thanked the Biden for the extensive federal support to prepare for and respond to the storm. Criswell also participated in the call.

Harris on Monday called DeSantis “selfish” amid reports the governor refused to take her call, and DeSantis hit back Tuesday, suggesting she was “trying to parachute in” because she’s the Democratic candidate for the White House.

DeSantis also said this week it was “delusional” for Harris to accuse him of “political gamesmanship” while he has been in touch with Biden.

Biden was asked Wednesday evening if DeSantis should take Harris’s calls and he stressed his communication with the governor.

“All I can tell you is I’ve talked to Gov. DeSantis. He’s been very gracious. He’s thanked me for all we’ve done. He knows what we are doing, and I think that’s important,” Biden said.