CNN —
The White House responded to reports that the Republican governor of Florida has rejected phone calls from the president and Vice President Kamala Harris as authorities continue hurricane recovery efforts and prepare for the storm to make landfall later this week. – DeSantis and Joe Biden announced that they met on Monday night.
“Tonight, @POTUS will meet with @GovRonDeSantis and Tampa Mayor Jane Castor to discuss Hurricane Helen recovery efforts and preparations for Hurricane Milton,” White House Chief Press Secretary Emily Simmons wrote in a post on We have received a report on the matter.” It is scheduled to make landfall in Florida on Wednesday.
“We have asked both parties to call us directly if there is anything we can do to further assist response and recovery efforts,” Simmons added.
A White House official told CNN that the governor has reached out to DeSantis multiple times since Hurricane Helen made landfall in the state, but the governor did not return the vice president’s calls. When Biden visited Florida last week to assess storm damage there, DeSantis declined to accompany him and instead held a press conference with reporters four hours south of the area the president was touring. went.
“We invited the governor, well, we invited the governor to come and survey the affected areas with the president. Obviously, we were in Florida, so we invited the governor of Florida to come. “It was the governor’s decision not to attend or attend,” White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters earlier Monday. “The president reached out regarding Hurricane Helen. He reached out. It’s up to the governor, and it’s really up to the governor.”
DeSantis told reporters Monday that he had no knowledge of the vice president’s lobbying, insisting at a news conference in Tallahassee, “I didn’t know she called me.”
The governor said he’s grateful to Biden for approving everything he’s needed so far, adding that he “will not hesitate” to call Biden if he needs additional assistance.
“We want to use every resource available to help Floridians prepare for and respond to this storm, but he has approved everything we have asked President Biden to do. , we believe we will receive further approval for some individual assistance and post-landfall debris removal,” DeSantis said.
Harris also responded to reports that DeSantis did not return her phone calls on Monday, saying, “In moments of crisis, those who call themselves leaders must put politics aside and put the people first. It should be the moment when you say yes.” ”
“People desperately need help right now, but playing politics at this moment, in the midst of a crisis like this, is completely irresponsible and selfish. , it’s not about political games, it’s about political games, doing the job you’re sworn to do, and that’s putting the people first,” the vice president told reporters on the tarmac at Joint Base Andrews. Ta.
DeSantis told Fox News late Monday that Harris “has no role in this process. I have been in contact with the President of the United States. I have been in contact with the FEMA Director. We manage all state agencies. We support all local governments.”
The governor added: “It’s selfish of her to try to screw up something like this when we’re doing well.”
CNN has reached out to the White House, the Harris campaign, and DeSantis’ office for more information about the working relationship between Biden, Harris, and DeSantis.
NBC News first reported that DeSantis did not return Harris’ calls.
This is not the first time a Florida governor has avoided a meeting with Biden in the wake of a natural disaster. In 2023, he declined to meet with Biden during a post-Hurricane Idalia visit to the state, even after the president said he planned to meet with the Republican governor.
FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell contacted DeSantis on Sunday to discuss preparedness for Hurricane Milton.
“She spoke to him yesterday regarding Milton,” Jean-Pierre said early Monday. “And we’re definitely going to continue to pre-position on the ground and support our communities with what they need at all times. That’s our commitment.”
Harris, who also spoke with Criswell on Monday, urged people in the path of Hurricane Milton to heed warnings from state and local officials.
“Everyone in the Tampa, Florida area, please heed the evacuation advisory,” she said. “Listen to your local officials, because we know there are many people who have survived hurricanes before. This hurricane is going to be very serious. Get whatever you want and listen to my orders.” I’m hearing this from local officials. ”
Jean-Pierre insisted that the federal government will remain focused on the state’s disaster recovery, regardless of whether DeSantis returns calls from the president or vice president.
The spokesperson said federal officials would respond “determined across the government.”
This headline and story have been updated with additional details.
CNN’s Kit Maher contributed to this report.
Correction: This article has been updated to accurately reflect where DeSantis held a press conference related to Biden last week.
