Despite constantly attacking President Trump and the federal response to the crisis in Puerto Rico, San Juan’s mayor was giving praise to FEMA’s response less than a week ago.
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“Of course, the FEMA people–which have been wonderful, and have been here since last week–helping us and setting up logistics because it is a massive endeavor that we have to deal with,” Carmen Yulin Cruz said on CNN on September 26.
“Have no doubt, first of all, that we appreciate all the help,” she continued during the phone interview. “We appreciate all the FEMA workers who are here, they’re doing such a great job.”
Cruz’s comments on September 26 stand in stark contrast to her recent criticisms of the federal response that have landed her nonstop TV interviews.
“We are dying, and you are killing us with the inefficiency, and the bureaucracy,” Cruz said on September 30. “I am done being politically correct. I am mad as hell.”
Cruz’s shift in tone led Trump to attack her, accusing her of flip-flopping to appease the liberal media. Cruz hit back at Trump, asserting that he is used to dealing with women who “need to be told what to do.”
FEMA Chief Brock Long ultimately joined in on the battle, telling CNN that Cruz is out of touch with relief efforts because she isn’t in contact with the central field office.
“The problem that we have with the mayor unfortunately is that unity of command is ultimately what’s needed to be successful in this response,” Long told CNN’s Fredricka Whitfield. “What we need is for the mayor, the good mayor, to make her way to the joint field office and get plugged into what’s going on and be successful.”