Tennessee State Representative Gloria Johnson (D) sharply criticized Republican Governor Bill Lee on Sunday, accusing him of misleading the public about the federal government’s disaster response. Johnson, a member of the “Tennessee Three” who gained national attention for protesting gun violence on the state House floor, took issue with Lee’s recent remarks about federal disaster aid.
Governor Lee, who faced widespread backlash earlier this year for his muted response to a Nashville school shooting that left six people, including three young children, dead, recently commented on the California wildfires. In a post on X, formerly Twitter, Lee reacted to President Joe Biden’s announcement of immediate federal support for California.
Biden stated, “I’m announcing that the federal government will cover 100% of the cost of measures to protect lives and property in Southern California for six months. I’ve told the Governor and officials to spare no expense and do whatever they need to contain the fires and protect families.”
Lee responded, “What’s happening in California is heartbreaking, & they need this immediate federal response. Appalachia should be treated the same, but the Biden admin made TN wait 42 days for answers after Hurricane Helene.” He added, “Soon we’ll have a president who gives every state equal respect.”
Rep. Johnson wasted no time in challenging Lee’s claims, calling him out on social media. “You’re such a liar, you know there is a full record in print, right?” she asked. Johnson further accused Lee of delaying Tennessee’s disaster aid request. “It would’ve been faster if you had made the request when other states did, but you waited until folks were standing on the roof of a hospital needing rescue. He [Biden] granted it within hours, when you finally asked.”
Johnson’s criticism highlighted what she saw as a misrepresentation of the Biden administration’s response time and pointed to Lee’s initial inaction as a contributing factor.
The exchange underscores the broader political divide on disaster relief and governance, with Johnson using her platform to call attention to inconsistencies in the Governor’s narrative. Her remarks also served as a reminder of the scrutiny Lee faced following his controversial response to the Nashville school shooting, where his brief statement failed to address the tragedy directly, prompting outrage.