As the aftermath of Hurricane Helene becomes a significant topic during the presidential election’s final stretch, President Joe Biden’s administration has actively countered former President Donald Trump’s baseless assertions regarding recovery efforts.

During a Sunday appearance on ABC’s “This Week,” FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell asserted that her agency possesses all necessary resources to address the impacts of Helene, which severely affected Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, and other areas.

The focus on North Carolina and Georgia, both critical swing states, has intensified political implications relating to the recovery and the ongoing discussions around it.

Criswell defended the actions of FEMA and dismissed Trump’s claims that the agency lacks disaster relief funding because it has been redirected to assist undocumented immigrants, describing such statements as “frankly ridiculous and just plain false.”

“This kind of rhetoric is not helpful to people,” she emphasized. “It’s truly unfortunate that politics are taking precedence over providing assistance to those in need.”

Criswell highlighted that local and state leaders have countered “this dangerous narrative that is instilling fear.”

Over recent days, Trump has reiterated several unfounded claims regarding the recovery from Helene. During a rally in Saginaw, Michigan, he argued that “Kamala spent all her FEMA money, billions of dollars, on housing for illegal immigrants.”

“They have nearly no funding left, because it was all spent on illegal immigrants,” Trump said, alleging that “They took the FEMA money as if they were robbing a bank to give it to their illegal immigrants.”

According to FEMA’s website, the agency does operate a Shelter and Services Program that provides “financial support to non-federal entities for humanitarian services to noncitizen migrants after their release” from detention facilities. This program has an allocation of $650 million for this year, but these funds are distinct from disaster relief financing.

The White House clarified, “No money is being taken away from disaster response efforts. None.”

During a recent press briefing, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas indicated that while FEMA has sufficient disaster relief funds for current demands, it cannot cope with funding for additional hurricanes.

“We are addressing the immediate needs with the available funds,” Mayorkas explained. “We anticipate another hurricane, but we do not have the resources to handle the season and what is forthcoming.”

Recently, Congress allocated $20 billion for disaster assistance, but Biden indicated in a letter this week that further funding is needed.

“If additional resources aren’t secured, FEMA will have to prioritize urgent needs over longer-term recovery efforts,” Biden stated, stressing the necessity of funds for the Small Business Administration.

In an interview on “Fox News Sunday,” House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., responded to Biden’s letter by stating, “Congress will respond; we will assist the communities affected by disasters.”

When asked about Trump’s mixing up FEMA’s funds for the Shelter and Services Program with disaster relief, he acknowledged, “The funding sources are indeed different, and that is certainly not an untrue statement.” However, he claimed that FEMA should not divert any money for “resettling illegal immigrants crossing the border.”

Trump continued to voice his disapproval regarding the recovery from Helene at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on Saturday, specifically highlighting the $750 FEMA payment that disaster victims receive to cover immediate needs.

“Just think about it, $750 for families who’ve lost everything, while we send tens of millions to foreign nations few know about,” Trump commented. “They’re only offering $750 to those who have been devastated.”

The $750 Serious Needs Assistance is designed to help “cover essential items like food, water, baby formula, breastfeeding supplies, medication and other emergency essentials,” as stated in the White House press release.

“There are additional forms of aid you may qualify for, and Serious Needs Assistance is an initial amount provided while FEMA evaluates your eligibility for further funding,” the release added.

During her appearance on CNN’s “State of the Union” Sunday, Lara Trump, co-chair of the Republican National Committee and daughter-in-law of the former president, also responded to queries about Trump’s claims regarding Helene. Host Dana Bash showcased a clip of Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., commending the recovery efforts in relation to Helene.

“I’m genuinely impressed with how much focus was directed towards a region that didn’t expect to be impacted as severely as it was,” Tillis noted, emphasizing, “I’m here to affirm that we are doing a good job.”

Lara Trump responded to the criticisms regarding the recovery in Helene, stating that they stem from local residents.

“You can find online videos where people are expressing: ‘We need assistance, no one has arrived, we are in dire need,'” Trump remarked.