Trump Administration Blocked Hurricane Relief Funds to Puerto Rico, Report Confirms

A new report from the Department of Housing and Urban Development Office of Inspector General confirms that officials within the Trump administration deliberately obstructed the delivery of approximately $20 billion in hurricane relief funds to Puerto Rico following the devastation of Hurricane Maria in 2017. The delays, stemming from unprecedented procedural hurdles, exacerbated the suffering on the island and hindered recovery efforts.

Political Motivations Behind the Hold-Up

The report details how the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) began requiring an interagency review process for all disaster funds allocated to Puerto Rico in 2018 – a process that had never been applied to recovery funds before. This new requirement created significant delays in releasing the congressionally approved funds. According to the report, former HUD Deputy Secretary Brian Montgomery voiced concerns to then-OMB Director Russell Vought, stating the actions were akin to holding disaster relief “hostage.”

Mark Harvey, Trump’s senior director for resilience policy on the National Security Council, stated the administration’s hesitance to provide relief was deliberate and political, reflecting a sentiment of, “We’re not awarding that, these aren’t my people.” Source

Obstruction of Investigation

The Inspector General’s investigation also revealed that Trump administration officials actively obstructed the probe into the withholding of funds. Investigators were unable to secure testimony from officials who ordered the interagency review process. Both former HUD Secretary Ben Carson and another unnamed former HUD official declined to be interviewed as part of the investigation. Source

Puerto Rico’s Role in Trump’s Foreign Policy

The handling of aid to Puerto Rico occurred during a period where the U.S. Territory was becoming increasingly central to President Trump’s foreign policy, particularly in relation to Venezuela. Source

Impact on Tourism

While not directly addressed in the report regarding the blocked funds, the Trump administration’s broader policies, including tariff wars and escalating rhetoric, negatively impacted tourism to the United States, including Puerto Rico. Source

The delayed aid and broader economic pressures contributed to a prolonged recovery period for Puerto Rico, impacting its infrastructure and economy for years after the hurricane.