FEMA has rightly come under fire from critics in the aftermath of the devastation brought to western North Carolina by Hurricane Helene, due in part to a failure by the feds to promptly deploy assets to the most heavily impacted areas and due to allegations that good-faith efforts from private citizens at assisting with certain rescue/relief efforts are being discouraged.

"Please donate what you can, try to find a nonprofit to donate to," fed-up North Carolina law enforcement officer Mike DeStefano urged in a recent TikTok video, as reported by RedState's Jennifer Oliver O'Connell. "Church, local PD. A lot of those are taking donations, sheriff's departments. I know my department is running a bunch of stuff to the western part of the state to help donate, but please do not donate to FEMA."

"They are hindering a lot of what people are trying to accomplish out in the western part of the state," he also stated.

SEE ALSO: Harris-Biden Admin Turned FEMA Into a DEI Experiment – and Hurricane Victims Are Suffering for It

As controversy continues to swirl over FEMA funding and the skewed priorities of the people purportedly in charge, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has kept it real, stating that he's been in contact with officials at the local, state, and national levels to make sure the Sunshine State is prepared and to get the resources they need and will continue to need in the aftermath of both Hurricane Helene and now Milton.

Ahead of Milton making landfall, DeSantis appeared for an interview with Fox News' Bret Baier. One question the governor was asked related to statements made by GOP presidential nominee Donald Trump about the federal response and President Joe Biden's reaction to the comments. 

DeSantis' response was classic Ron DeSantis, telling Baier, hey, I know what people are saying about what's going on elsewhere but here, "we run the show":

BRET BAIER, FOX NEWS: You've been around this block, you've done this before, you've obviously pre-positioned a lot of things as you've just talked about. You've also talked to President Biden numerous times, and federal officials. Wondering what you feel about this focus on misinformation and the comments about it.

I know you heard Jacqui Heinrich's piece about the president saying it was unpatriotic, it's un-American, and he said former President Trump was behind that.

GOV. RON DESANTIS (R-FL): So here's what I'd say. My job is to manage this process and lead the state through this.

I am using every lever at my disposal, including federal government resources, I've marshaled all the agencies in the state government, and we're working like never before to supplement our local communities. I've got to get the job done, and that's what I'm focused on. Now, people have asked me about, you know, is FEMA going to do this? Just let me be clear, we run the show.

FEMA's not running the show. We will utilize them to support some of the things we're doing, but you are not going to see FEMA running amok in Florida. I know that's been out there on the internet.

That is not going to happen. I'm the sheriff that's in charge here, and we will make sure to protect you. Don't worry about it.

Watch:

Governor Ron DeSantis destroys those spreading conspiracy theories about FEMA barring people from their homes, telling this to @BretBaier:

“So here's what I would say. My job is to manage this process and lead the state through this. I am using every lever at my disposal,… pic.twitter.com/ARmNu3vZMA

— Curtis Houck (@CurtisHouck) October 9, 2024

That's exactly the kind of leader you need in times like this.

As I write this, Milton has made landfall in Florida. Please pray for all those who are in the projected path.

RELATED: Pinellas County, Florida Dump: 'We're Not Accepting Storm Debris.' Ron DeSantis: 'Yes, You Are.'