“I got confirmation that that was not going to happen,” the Puerto Rican governor told HuffPost during a sit-down interview Thursday.
More than three weeks after Hurricane Maria devastated the U.S. territory, its more than 3.4 million residents are largely without power, and many lack access to drinking water. Trump’s comments regarding federal aid on the island were disconcerting for Rosselló, who quickly sought clarification from White House Chief of Staff John Kelly.
On Thursday morning, Trump tweeted about the island’s lack of infrastructure and its financial crisis before the hurricane, then said Congress would soon decide “how much to spend” on relief efforts.
“We cannot keep FEMA, the Military & the First Responders, who have been amazing (under the most difficult circumstances) in P.R. forever!” Trump tweeted.
But Rosselló says the White House pledged its full support to the island in a phone conversation after the tweets.
“The Stafford Act is very clear that once FEMA enters into a natural disaster such as this, they’re not leaving until the actions have been taken,” Rosselló told HuffPost. “I further spoke to the White House because I wanted clarity. I spoke to Gen. Kelly, and he reiterated that they were going to be here for Puerto Rico for the long haul.”
Kelly also explained that Trump’s comments on Twitter were “more saying that recovery efforts that go quicker are better because the citizens get to normalcy quicker,” according to Rosselló.
“But the truth of the matter is, what I want is results,” Rosselló added. “I won’t accept anything less than to be treated equal, as a U.S. citizen. Not for me and not for all my constituents in Puerto Rico.”
President Donald Trump, first lady Melania Trump and Puerto Rico Gov. Ricardo Rossello at a press briefing in Puerto Rico on Oct. 3. (Photo: MANDEL NGAN/AFP via Getty Images)
When asked what he thought of a U.S. president even alluding to removing federal aid from the island, Rosselló said he felt “disconnected from the chat and fodder on Twitter.”
“I need to focus on outcomes,” he told HuffPost. “So my main concern when those comments came out was: Is the White House going to fulfill, as they have in the past, their commitment to standing by Puerto Rico and treating U.S. citizens in Puerto Rico equally to U.S. citizens in Florida and in Texas? The White House confirmed that it was in a phone call and then later Gen. Kelly went on TV and said as much.
“As long as I have clarity on what’s going on, I can either support the actions that are taken or I can denounce them and, of course, fight for equal rights for the people of Puerto Rico.”
“I thank them for that,” Rosselló told HuffPost in response to the aid. “I think it’s a first important step, but certainly there’s a lot more to do. I will focus on the recovery. Doesn’t matter what the noise is.”
Rosselló told HuffPost there are currently 14,000 active Department of Defense members and 2,000 FEMA employees in Puerto Rico ― and he feels that aid has arrived on the island quickly, considering the circumstances.
“Remember, we have to put the context into the situation of Puerto Rico,” the governor explained. “Every time I’ve petitioned something, prior to the storm and after the storm, [federal government officials] were quick to answer. The reality is that in the onset of the storm we had no access to ports. This was a full devastation of the whole island of Puerto Rico.
“We already had a weak grid, we already had weak infrastructure, and when it went right through, it devastated the whole of the island. So, was there a quick response within the circumstances? Yes, there was.”
But when asked point blank if he felt all the help from FEMA and the federal government was “enough,” the governor replied, “No, it’s not enough.”
“Assets are being deployed. They are taking action. Can we do more? Of course. Do we need to do more? The answer is yes, and that’s why we’ll keep on pressing and keep on looking for all of the assets, all of the help from the federal government.”
Also on HuffPost
Maria Lopez cries while walking from her house that was flooded after the passage of Hurricane Maria, in Toa Baja, Puerto Rico, on September 22, 2017. Puerto Rico battled dangerous floods Friday after Hurricane Maria ravaged the island, as rescuers raced against time to reach residents trapped in their homes and the death toll climbed to 33. Puerto Rico Governor Ricardo Rossello called Maria the most devastating storm in a century after it destroyed the US territory's electricity and telecommunications infrastructure. / AFP PHOTO / HECTOR RETAMAL (Photo credit should read HECTOR RETAMAL/AFP/Getty Images)
Loiza, PUERTO RICO SEPTEMBER 22: Aerial photo of the floadings in the costal town of Loiza, in the north shore of Puerto RicoHurricane Maria passed through Puerto Rico leaving behind a path of destruction across the national territory. (Photo by Dennis M. Rivera Pichardo for The Washington Post via Getty Images)
HAYALES DE COAMO, PUERTO RICO - SEPTEMBER 24: Karlian Mercado, 7, rests on the rubble that remains of her family's home after it was blown away by Hurricane Maria as it passed through the area on September 24, 2017 in Hayales de Coamo, Puerto Rico. Puerto Rico experienced widespread damage after Hurricane Maria, a category 4 hurricane, passed through. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
Irma Torres poses for a picture at her damaged house after the area was hit by Hurricane Maria in Yabucoa, Puerto Rico September 22, 2017. REUTERS/Carlos Garcia Rawlins
Local residents react while they look at the water flowing over the road at the dam of the Guajataca lake after the area was hit by Hurricane Maria in Guajataca, Puerto Rico September 23, 2017. REUTERS/Carlos Garcia Rawlins
A man looks at damages on his flooded house, close to the dam of the Guajataca lake after the area was hit by Hurricane Maria in Guajataca, Puerto Rico September 23, 2017. REUTERS/Carlos Garcia Rawlins
A man sits in a wheelchair next to washing machines at a shelter after the area was hit by Hurricane Maria, in San Juan, Puerto Rico September 22, 2017. Picture taken September 22, 2017. REUTERS/Alvin Baez
LOIZA, PUERTO RICO - SEPTEMBER 22: A resident wades through flood water days after Hurricane Maria made landfall, on September 22, 2017 in Loiza, Puerto Rico. Many on the island have lost power, running water, and cell phone service after Hurricane Maria, a category 4 hurricane, passed through. (Photo by Alex Wroblewski/Getty Images)
People stay at the roof of a damaged house after the area was hit by Hurricane Maria in Yabucoa, Puerto Rico September 22, 2017. REUTERS/Carlos Garcia Rawlins TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY
PUERTO RICO SEPTEMBER 23: A devastated house in Morovis Puerto Rico. Hurricane Maria passed through Puerto Rico leaving behind a path of destruction across the national territory. (Photo by Dennis M. Rivera Pichardo for The Washington Post via Getty Images)
SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO - SEPTEMBER 22: Residents line up for gasoline days after Hurricane Maria made landfall, on September 22, 2017 in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Many on the island have lost power, running water, and cell phone service after Hurricane Maria, a category 4 hurricane, passed through. (Photo by Alex Wroblewski/Getty Images)
A car submerged in flood waters is seen close to the dam of the Guajataca lake after the area was hit by Hurricane Maria in Guajataca, Puerto Rico September 23, 2017. REUTERS/Carlos Garcia Rawlins TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY
A resident lay on a cot inside a shelter after being evacuated from a home near the damaged Guajataca Dam after Hurricane Maria in Isabella, Puerto Rico, on Saturday, Sept. 23, 2017. Amid their struggles to recover from�Hurricane�Maria, some Puerto Rico residents found it befuddling that President Donald Trump fired off a number of Twitter rants about professional athletes on Saturday -- yet made no mention of their dire situation. Photographer: Alex Wroblewski/Bloomberg via Getty Images
People stop on a highway near a mobile phone antenna tower to check for mobile phone signal, after the area was hit by Hurricane Maria, in Dorado, Puerto Rico September 22, 2017. Picture taken September 22, 2017. REUTERS/Alvin Baez
A dead horse is seen next to a road after the area was hit by Hurricane Maria in Quebradillas, Puerto Rico September 23, 2017. REUTERS/Carlos Garcia Rawlins
An aerial view shows the flooded neighbourhood of Juana Matos in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria in Catano, Puerto Rico, on September 22, 2017. Puerto Rico battled dangerous floods Friday after Hurricane Maria ravaged the island, as rescuers raced against time to reach residents trapped in their homes and the death toll climbed to 33. Puerto Rico Governor Ricardo Rossello called Maria the most devastating storm in a century after it destroyed the US territory's electricity and telecommunications infrastructure. / AFP PHOTO / Ricardo ARDUENGO (Photo credit should read RICARDO ARDUENGO/AFP/Getty Images)
