Democratic lawmakers rushed to the defence of San Juan Mayor Carmen Yulín Cruz after Donald Trump slammed the mayor’s emotional plea for aid.

With Puerto Rico reeling from a pair of deadly hurricanes that have left millions without power and led to shortages of food, water and medicine, Ms Cruz issued what she a “mayday call” for help yesterday, saying “we are dying, and you are killing us with the inefficiency and the bureaucracy”.

“I am asking the President of the United States to make sure somebody is in charge that is up to the task of saving lives,” she said.

In a familiar pattern, Mr Trump lashed out at Ms Cruz with a series of Twitter messages in which he derided her for “poor leadership” and said she and other Puerto Rico officials were “not able to get their workers to help”.

The backlash was swift, with numerous elected officials chastising Mr Trump and saying he owed the San Juan Mayor an apology.

Criticism of the Trump administration’s hurricane relief effort has mounted as Ms Cruz and other officials have warned of a critical shortfall of basic supplies and water.

Democrats on Friday asked for an emergency oversight hearing to address the lagging response.

Hurricane Irma – devastation caused in pictures Show all 45 1 /45 Hurricane Irma – devastation caused in pictures Hurricane Irma – devastation caused in pictures Recently planted palm trees lie strewn across the road as Hurricane Irma passes by in Miami Beach, Fla. 10 September 2017. AP Hurricane Irma – devastation caused in pictures Damage outside the Mercure hotel in Marigot, on the Bay of Nettle, on the island of Saint-Martin AFP/Getty Images Hurricane Irma – devastation caused in pictures People pick up debris in Fajardo as Hurricane Irma howled past Puerto Rico after thrashing several smaller Caribbean islands Reuters/Alvin Baez Hurricane Irma – devastation caused in pictures Large waves produced by Hurricane Irma crash into the end of Anglins Fishing Pier in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The category 4 hurricane made landfall in the United States in the Florida Keys at 9:10 a.m. after raking across the north coast of Cuba. 10 September 2017 Getty Images Hurricane Irma – devastation caused in pictures A Royal Air Force Puma has been delivered to the US Virgin Islands to assist with the humanitarian efforts post Hurricane Irma. The Puma will be delivering Humanitarian Aid and Disaster Relief in support of the Department for International Development. Royal Air Force logisticians from RAF Brize Norton have assisted with the delivery of military personnel and aid cargo to the Caribbean to support disaster relief in the wake of Hurricane Irma. RAF aircraft including, C-17 A400M and Voyager are supporting a Joint Task Force of RAF, Royal Marines, Army and RN personnel who are supporting the Department for International Development as it delivers aid to stricken Caribbean Islands. MoD Hurricane Irma – devastation caused in pictures Flamingos at Zoo Miami, are shown in a temporary enclosure in a hurricane resistant structure within the zoo, Saturday, 9 September 2017 in Miami. Though most animals will reman in their secure structures, the cheetahs and some birds will ride out the storm in temporary housing. AP Hurricane Irma – devastation caused in pictures Boats are seen at a marina in South Beach as Hurricane Irma arrives at south Florida, in Miami Beach, Florida, U.S. 10 September 2017 Reuters Hurricane Irma – devastation caused in pictures Storm clouds are seen over Fisher Island as Hurricane Irma approaches on 9 September 2017 in Miami Beach, Florida. Florida is in the path of the Hurricane which may come ashore at category 4 Getty Images Hurricane Irma – devastation caused in pictures Waves crash over a seawall at the mouth of the Miami River from Biscayne Bay, Fla., as Hurricane Irma passes by. 10 September 2017 AP Hurricane Irma – devastation caused in pictures Some of the damage on Saint Martin EPA/Gerben Van Es/Dutch Department of Defence Hurricane Irma – devastation caused in pictures The skyline is seen as the outerbands of Hurricane Irma start to reach Florida on 9 September 2017 in Miami, Florida. Florida is in the path of the Hurricane which may come ashore at category 4. Getty Images Hurricane Irma – devastation caused in pictures A tree toped by hurricane Irma is seen on a empty street in Remedios, Cuba, 9 September 2017. Hurricane Irma reached Cuba bringing winds between 160 and 190 kilometers per hour. The hurricane has hit the north coast of the island. EPA Hurricane Irma – devastation caused in pictures James Constantineau loads sands bags in his truck as he prepares for the approach of Hurricane Irma Saturday, 9 September 2017, in East Palatka, Fla. Gov. Rick Scott is urging anyone living in an evacuation zone in southwest Florida to leave by noon as the threat of Hurricane Irma has shifted west. AP Hurricane Irma – devastation caused in pictures The Fort Louis Marina in Marigot is seen on 8 September 2017 in Saint-Martin island, devastated by Hurricane Irma. 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After deleting his initial series of tweets, Mr Trump again attacked Ms Cruz on Twitter by writing that “Results of recovery efforts will speak much louder than complaints by San Juan Mayor”.

In a morning appearance on MSNBC, Ms Cruz cited newly appointed relief effort director Lt Gen Jeff Buchanan's comment that there were “not enough” troops and said “I’m fighting to save lives…this isn't personal”.

San Juan Mayor: "This isn't a good story, this is a people are dying story"

“I will continue to do whatever I have to do, say whatever I have to say, compliment the people I need to compliment and call out the people that I need to call it”, Ms Cruz.