Florida Democrat shuts down speculation he will serve as Trump FEMA chief

Rep. Jared Moskowitz (D-Fla.) threw cold water on speculation that he would serve in President-elect Trump’s administration as the head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) on Tuesday. 

“I appreciate the speculation but I am staying in Congress and running for re-election. It’s an honor to serve the people of Florida’s 23rd district,” Moskowitz said in a post on the social platform X. 

CNN reported Monday that he was a top contender for the post within the Trump administration. 

"To be clear," Moskowitz added on X, "nothing was ever offered."

Trump has tapped numerous Florida politicians for high-level posts within his administration, but Moskowitz would have been the first Democrat from the state to be appointed.

It would not be the first time Moskowitz has worked in a Republican administration. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) appointed Moskowitz to serve as the director of the Florida Division of Emergency Management. Moskowitz served in the role from 2019 to 2021. He also was the first Democrat to join the Department of Government Efficiency Caucus, which is directly related to Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy’s effort to cut government waste. 

Moskowitz is considered a rising star among Florida Democrats as the party has struggled to pushback on massive Republican gains in the state. Moskowitz has been floated as a 2016 Florida gubernatorial candidate.