William “Brock” Long, the director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), is being investigated for potentially misusing government vehicles for personal gain. Reportedly, his use of government vehicles for personal travel is being scrutinized by U.S. prosecutors.
The Department of Homeland Security’s inspector general is examining whether using vehicles to travel between Washington and his home in Hickory, N.C. constitutes a violation of the law. Long’s children and family live in Hickory and he frequently visits them for three-day weekends.
Should Long be allowed to use government vehicles for the long trip home? That’s the question prosecutors will have to answer. As the director of FEMA, it’s essential for Long to be in constant, secure contact with the Federal government. Long claims that he used government vehicles because they were equipped with secured communication devices.
Long also had staffers accompany him on his weekend trips. These staffers then stayed in hotels at taxpayer expense. Again, Long argues that these staffers were brought along in case an emergency happened and a response was needed immediately. Firing back at the allegations, Long argued: “So this job is incredibly complex. [On] my shoulders is Presidential Preparedness Directive 40, which means, you know, I have to make sure, FEMA has to make sure, that the executive branch of government works on its worst day at any given time regardless of what we see, and a lot of that is continuity of government. Those vehicles are to supply me with secure comms.”
Some are calling for Long to step down immediately. However, doing so might endanger lives in the Carolinas. Hurricane Florence hit the southeastern seaboard just days ago, and while the storm weakened before making landfall, it has deluged the region with rain. At least 32 people have died in the storm and the floods that followed.
So far, President Trump has apparently been pleased with Long’s performance. While the Trump administration has hemorrhaged staffers at every level, Long’s job seemed to be among the safest and most stable. Now, the Trump administration is at risk of losing yet another senior staffer.
