CNN
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The White House said Ron DeSantis and Joe Biden spoke Monday night following reports that Florida’s Republican governor had declined invitations from the president and Vice President Kamala Harris as officials continued hurricane recovery efforts.
“Tonight, @POTUS spoke with @GovRonDeSantis and Tampa Mayor Jane Castor to get an update on Hurricane Helen recovery efforts and preparations for Hurricane Milton,” senior assistant White House press secretary Emily Simons said in a post on X on Monday. Land in Florida on Wednesday.
“He asked both of them to call him directly if anything could be done for further support and rescue efforts,” Simons added.
Harris, the White House official, told CNN that he reached out to DeSantis several times around the time Hurricane Helen made landfall in his state, but the governor declined the vice president’s calls. When Biden visited Florida last week to survey storm damage, DeSantis declined to join him, instead holding a news conference with reporters four hours south of the area the president toured.
“We invited the governor, we invited him to come and inspect the damage areas with the president — obviously, we were in Florida, we invited the governor of Florida to come, it’s not his decision, not to attend or not be there. The president,” White House press secretary Karin Jean told reporters earlier Monday. -Pierre said. “Hurricane Helen has reached out. It’s up to the governor.”
DeSantis told reporters Monday that he was unaware of the vice president’s outreach, saying at a press conference in Tallahassee, “I didn’t know she called me.”
The governor said he thanks Biden for approving everything they need so far, adding that if they need more help, he “wouldn’t hesitate” to call on him.
“We want to use whatever resources are available to help Floridians prepare for and respond to this storm. But everything we’ve asked President Biden, he’s approved, and we think we’ll get additional approvals for some personal assistance and debris removal after the landfall,” DeSantis said.
Harris also responded to reports that DeSantis had not picked up his calls on Monday, saying, “Critical moments, if nothing else, should be the moment when anybody who calls himself a leader actually says he’s going to put politics aside and put people first . . .”
“People are in desperate need of support right now, and at this time, playing political games in these critical situations – these are the height of emergency situations – is completely irresponsible, and it’s selfish, and it’s all about political gamesmanship. You’re doing the work you’re sworn to do, and it’s putting people first,” he said. The vice president told reporters on the tarmac at Joint Base Andrews.
DeSantis told Fox News later Monday that Harris had “no role in the process. I’m in contact with the president of the United States. I’m in contact with the FEMA director. I’m obviously managing all of our state agencies. We support all of our local government.”
The governor added: “He’s being selfish by trying to make a mistake on this when we’re doing a good job.”
CNN briefed the White House, the Harris campaign and DeSantis’ office on the details surrounding the communication between Biden, Harris and DeSantis.
NBC News First reported DeSantis did not take Harris’ calls.
This isn’t the first time a Florida governor has avoided a meeting with Biden following a natural disaster. In 2023, he refused to meet with Biden on a trip to the state following Hurricane Italy, even after the president said he planned to meet with the Republican governor.
FEMA Administrator Dean Criswell discussed preparations for Hurricane Milton with DeSantis on Sunday.
“He spoke to him about Milton yesterday,” Jean-Pierre said on Monday. “And we’re definitely going to continue to be on the ground, and we’re going to support whatever communities need, whenever they need it. That’s our commitment.”
Harris urged people in the path of Hurricane Milton on Monday to heed warnings from state and local officials after speaking with Griswell.
“I can’t stress enough to all the people in Florida, in the Tampa area, please ask for evacuation orders,” he said. “Please ask your local authorities, because I know a lot of people have survived this hurricane before – it’s going to be very intense, and take what you need, ask for orders. You’re getting it from your local authorities.”
Regardless of whether DeSantis returns calls from the President or the Vice President, Jean-Pierre insisted that the federal government should focus on disaster recovery in the state.
Federal officials, the press secretary said, would provide a “strong response to all of the government.”
This article and story has been updated with additional details.
CNN Kit Maher contributed to this report.
Correction: This story has been updated to accurately reflect where DeSantis held his press conference regarding Biden last week.
