Amid the death and devastation from Hurricane Florence aftermath in his home state of North Carolina, and a potential criminal investigation of his use of government vehicles, FEMA Administrator Brock Long had to be talked out of resigning this week, The Washington Post reported Thursday.
"It was FEMA personnel who convinced him not to quit," a congressional aide told the Post, which confirmed the account with a senior administration official.
Long's discontent was tied to a reported bitter feud with Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen, who had promised Long no movement on the Inspector General's review of his vehicle use until after the handling of the storm, according to the Post.
Long denied both impropriety and a feud with Nielson in an interview with the Post on Wednesday.
"What's being put out there, it's far from the reality," Long told the Post, adding on Nielsen: "We both understand what needs to be done, and we will continue to work together."
According to the Post's sources, Long has believed his government vehicle use to be justified "because the FEMA administrator is responsible for the agency’s National Continuity Programs, which requires the country's leaders to maintain secure communications in the event of a catastrophe.
"Much of the NCP plans are classified, officials said, but it requires Long to be on call around the clock with access to secure equipment that allows the president to talk to him within minute's notice."
© 2025 Newsmax. All rights reserved.