'NC State Police' To Arrest FEMA Employees 'Hindering' Rescue Operations? Fact-checking Claims

A claim is circulating on social media that the 'North Carolina State Police' has warned that it would arrest any federal employees trying to hinder the delivery of aid to the North Carolina residents affected by Hurricane Helene. However, there is no 'NC State Police,' and North Carolina only has the NC State Highway Patrol. Plus, there is also no official order regarding the same, and the claim looks unsubstantiated. Based on the analysis of social media posts, it seems that the claim originated from a post by Elon Musk, the tech billionaire who endorsed Trump earlier in August. Musk said in a post on his social media platform X, formerly Twitter, that FEMA is hindering it from delivering Starlink terminals and supplies to the affected areas in North Carolina.

Popular conservative commentator, Nick Sortor, shared the post and wrote that he would make the 'North Carolina State Police' move the alleged blockade out of the way. "Already did it once, which is one reason why we have an escort now," Sortor wrote. "FEMA has zero jurisdiction. Trust me. They’re not going to win this one."

It seems that the news about North Carolina state police issuing orders for FEMA employees who are allegedly hindering aid delivery has no basis. Several posts, without any evidence, were shared about the claim. Here are some of them:

North Carolina suffered the most damage from Hurricane Helene, with more than half of the total 215 deaths occurring in the state. Most of the deaths were due to flash floods causing a sudden, rapid rise of water levels washing away communities. Hundreds of people still remain missing in the state as the local police and the National Guards work to rescue and deliver essential supplies. North Carolina governor said Thursday that Helene has caused a "complete devastation" of the state's water infrastructure. President Joe Biden visited North Carolina Thursday and said that up to 1,000 active-duty soldiers will assist the National Guards in the rescue efforts.