Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg is taking heat from all sides after his message asking drone pilots to avoid flying near Hurricane Helene recovery efforts landed like a lead balloon on social media. The U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) statement, which urged people not to interfere with emergency operations using drones, was met with an avalanche of criticism as it seemed like yet another blunder in the Biden-Harris administration’s lackluster response to the hurricane’s aftermath.

“Drone pilots: Do not fly your drone near or around rescue and recovery efforts for Hurricane Helene,” the DOT’s post read, followed by a video of Buttigieg himself reiterating the message. In the clip, he insisted that keeping the skies clear was necessary to ensure that emergency responders could do their jobs effectively. But while Buttigieg was trying to sound responsible, the timing and tone of his message were all wrong.

Social media users were quick to call out the absurdity of the request, especially given the administration’s slow and often inadequate response to the crisis. “Hey loser, too late, real Americans started the rescue effort days ago, so pathetic,” one user on X (formerly known as Twitter) fired back, while another pointed out the obvious: “You would think more eyes in the sky would be a good thing when there are people that need to be rescued but what do I know.”

The backlash only intensified as others accused the government of trying to cover up their own failures while blocking private citizens from stepping in to help. Some argued that government personnel were actively “hampering private relief efforts while failing to provide significant, effective relief.” The sentiment was clear: people are tired of bureaucratic interference and empty gestures from an administration that seems more focused on optics than actual action.

🚨 Drone pilots: Do not fly your drone near or around rescue and recovery efforts for Hurricane Helene.

Interfering with emergency response operations impacts search and rescue operations on the ground. For more information on temporary flight restrictions follow: @FAADroneZone pic.twitter.com/muxHefL1sH

— U.S. Department of Transportation (@USDOT) October 2, 2024

The Biden-Harris administration’s already shaky handling of the disaster didn’t help Buttigieg’s case. Vice President Kamala Harris has been under fire for partying it up with Hollywood elites at a fundraiser just days after Hurricane Helene devastated parts of the country, leaving over 200 dead and hundreds more missing. Her priority seemed to be cozying up to celebrities rather than addressing the suffering of millions of Americans whose lives were torn apart by the storm. As one critic put it, “Kamala Harris announced that survivors could potentially get $750 in federal assistance,” which feels like a slap in the face compared to the billions she’s helped funnel to Ukraine.

Adding fuel to the fire, it seems that even Buttigieg’s drone ban was not entirely accurate. After facing backlash, a DOT spokesperson clarified that the temporary flight restrictions (TFR) had been lifted and that drones were actually permitted to aid in disaster relief as long as they were coordinated with emergency responders. But the damage was already done—social media exploded with frustration over the mixed messages and the federal government’s apparent inability to organize a coherent response.

Conservative journalist Ian Miles Cheong slammed Buttigieg’s message as deliberately impeding volunteer efforts, while podcaster Chad Prather pointed out that the drones were being used to find survivors. Meanwhile, people like Collin Rugg, co-owner of Trending Politics, highlighted the administration’s financial mismanagement, noting that while FEMA is struggling to make it through hurricane season, they’ve somehow managed to find hundreds of millions for illegal immigrants.

As the death toll from Hurricane Helene continues to rise and hundreds remain missing, the glaring failures of the federal response stand in sharp contrast to former President Donald Trump, who quickly visited the disaster areas and personally helped distribute relief items. Trump’s presence in Valdosta, Georgia, and his promise to deliver more aid to North Carolina sent a message that’s hard to ignore: where the current administration has faltered, he is ready to lead by example.

Meanwhile, Buttigieg’s brief visit to FEMA headquarters and the Biden administration’s endless meetings have done little to comfort those who feel forgotten by their government. As FAA teams scramble to restore communications and airports struggle with reduced fuel supplies, the reality on the ground remains dire. And yet, the official message from the Biden-Harris administration is one of confusion, hesitation, and, worst of all, indifference.