FEMA director Brock Long defends Trump on the study of the death toll in Puerto Rico

WASHINGTON – FEMA's director, Brock Long Sunday, questioned the relevance of independent studies linking thousands of deaths to the hurricane last September in Puerto Rico, echoing critics of the President Donald Trump.

In his NBC "Meet the Press" speech, Long defended the president for his response to Hurricane Maria last year and argued that the results of several university studies were "everywhere."

"I think the president is out of context there," said Long. "I mean, I've talked to the President every day this week, and to the Secretary of Homeland Security, and we're discussing what we're trying to do as a result of last year."

"I do not know why the studies were done," said Long, questioned about Trump's claims that the study was "done by Democrats to make me look as bad as possible".

"What we need to do is understand why people are dying from direct deaths, which are wind, water and waves, collapsing buildings," Long said.

"The numbers are everywhere, FEMA does not count deaths, and if you take what's happening in Florence, deaths verified by county coroners are the ones we take."

The George Washington University study, which has been specifically targeted by the president in recent days, has estimated an estimated 2,975 deaths in Hurricane Maria last year. The Puerto Rican government commissioned this study for more than $ 300,000.

While the findings of the study were much higher than the original death toll of 64, Puerto Rican Governor Ricardo Rosselló accepted the analysis and said the statement echoes Trump's criticism.

Previous studies have estimated different death rates, some higher than those in George Washington's study and others lower. But all estimates are greater than the original number of 64 deaths.

On Sunday, Long attempted to distinguish direct deaths from "indirect deaths", arguing that it would be tenuous to relate them to the hurricane and the federal government's response.

"The GW study looked at what happened six months after the fact," said Long.

"You could see more indirect deaths occur over time because people have heart attacks because of stress, they fall from their homes trying to repair their roofs, they die in car crashes because they do not have to go to work. they work, "he said.

He added that the agency is looking into "all kinds of studies," noting that, even though rates of spousal violence increase after disasters, "one can not blame anyone after a disaster."

Long commended the president for his support of FEMA, including the continued reaction in North Carolina and South Carolina, where Florence continues to fall apart. "One thing about President Trump is that he is probably the only one to have more support for what's going on here, and I think he's defensive because he knows how hard these guys behind me are working for a very complex game. " situation."

By the time Florence landed the coast earlier this week, Trump reviewed critics about her administration's response to Puerto Rico a year ago.

He described the federal government's response as "unsung success" during a briefing on Tuesday, and questioned the validity of George Washington's study in the days following.

Long Sunday, Homeland Security Minister Kirstjen Nielsen also asked him to resign in the middle of an investigation into whether he had used government vehicles to drive to his home in North Carolina at weekends.

Politico first reported the existence of the investigation, and the Wall Street Journal reported Friday night that the White House had discussed Long's replacement as he was preparing to face Florence .

Tell Chuck Todd that he will not resign, Long defended his conduct.

"Let me go ahead and clear up all the news." Secretary Nielsen has never asked me to resign. "We maintain a very functional and professional relationship every day. We are both totally focused on Florence ".

"I have a very important role to play in getting the government to work on the worst day in the country by ensuring continuity within the government.These vehicles are designed to provide secure communications and the program was developed in 2008. run for anyone else.I understand that maybe some policies have not been developed around these vehicles that we are going to clear up. "