FEMA Official Who Led 2020 Election Conspiracy Group Claims Teleportation to Waffle House

In a controversial appointment, Gregg Phillips now holds the second-highest position at the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) despite having no emergency management experience and a history of dubious claims, including that he was twice “teleported” against his will.

Phillips, who was named to lead FEMA’s Office of Response and Recovery with its nearly $300 million budget in December, has gained prominence primarily through his relationship with former President Donald Trump. This connection stems from Phillips’ widely debunked assertions that President Biden’s 2020 election victory was secured through millions of fraudulent votes by non-citizens.

These unsubstantiated claims formed the foundation of the conspiracy film “2000 Mules,” which was screened in hundreds of churches and on Christian television networks before Salem Media Group withdrew it following legal action. The film, which grossed over $10 million and spawned a companion book, was pulled after Mark Andrews, a Black man from Georgia, sued over being falsely portrayed as a voting “mule.”

Phillips’ appointment appears to align with what critics describe as a pattern in the current administration of prioritizing loyalty over competence, particularly regarding January 6th-related viewpoints. His professional background raises significant concerns about his qualifications for managing disaster response.

Prior to his FEMA role, Phillips briefly held positions leading human service programs in both Mississippi and Texas. In both instances, he departed after less than two years following allegations of welfare fund mismanagement and investigations into government contracts awarded to his own companies.

At True the Vote, the nonprofit he co-led with Catherine Engelbrecht, Phillips propagated extensive election fraud claims that collapsed when the organization’s lawyers admitted they lacked evidence. The pair reportedly had an affair and faced accusations of misusing organization funds. Their refusal to name the source of their election misinformation – which turned out to be nonexistent – resulted in a week-long jail stay for contempt of court.

Phillips’ recent notoriety stems from unusual claims made on podcasts about being involuntarily teleported. In one instance, he claimed he was transported to a Waffle House in Rome, Georgia; in another, he alleged both he and his vehicle were teleported to a ditch near a church. When questioned about these implausible assertions, Phillips suggested “teleport” might not be the correct terminology, stating: “The more accurate biblical terms are ‘translated’ or ‘transported’ — not new ideas for people of faith.”

The New York Times investigated these claims, visiting all three Waffle House locations in Rome, Georgia, but found no employees or regular customers who recalled witnessing such an extraordinary event.

Phillips’ history of questionable fundraising extends beyond election conspiracies. In 2022, he and Engelbrecht attempted to raise $25 million for a “Freedom Hospital” in Ukraine to treat war victims. Despite claiming to have raised over $10 million, no hospital was ever built. ProPublica and the Dallas Morning News reported that Phillips continued soliciting donations even after abandoning the project, describing it as his “commitment to God come to life.”

This appointment comes at a critical time for FEMA, which has faced significant challenges under the current administration. The agency’s funding has been reduced, and twelve states have filed lawsuits over policy changes that have severely delayed FEMA grants. Former Department of Homeland Security leader Kristi Noem, who oversaw FEMA, was dismissed in March amid concerns about departmental management.

Critics worry that installing a controversial figure with no disaster management experience to lead FEMA’s response operations could further hamper the agency’s effectiveness during natural disasters and other emergencies. The appointment also raises questions about the administration’s stated desire to potentially eliminate FEMA and transfer disaster response responsibilities to individual states.

As hurricane season approaches and regions across the country face increasing threats from wildfires, floods, and other natural disasters, Phillips’ leadership and qualifications will likely face intense scrutiny from emergency management professionals, elected officials, and the communities that depend on FEMA’s assistance.