President Donald Trump visited central Texas on Friday to survey the destruction caused by flash flooding, which has raised significant questions about the local and federal responses to the crisis.
The flooding, resulting from heavy rainfall, caused the Guadalupe River in Kerr County to rise a staggering 26 feet in less than an hour. This devastating event led to the tragic loss of at least 121 lives, including many children from a nearby summer camp, Camp Mystic.
At a roundtable event with first responders and local officials, Trump expressed the nation’s heartfelt condolences and support, stating, “The first lady and I are here in Texas to express the love and support and the anguish of our entire nation in the aftermath of this really horrific and deadly flood.”
He further added, “We mourn for every single life that was swept away in the flood, and we pray for the families that are left behind. It’s amazing, the incredible spirit from those families.”
The ongoing search for over 170 individuals still missing continues, with more than 2,100 responders from local, state, and federal agencies assisting in the efforts.
Amid this tragic situation, local officials are facing scrutiny regarding their response mechanisms—the adequacy of warning residents and the timeliness of their actions as weather alerts escalated.
Interestingly, Trump refrained from criticizing local officials for their handling of the situation, a departure from his past behavior during similar crises.
The president remarked, “Nobody has any idea how and why a thing like this could happen,” when addressing reporters.
In response to inquiries about the potential shortcomings in communication that might have saved lives, Trump defended the responders, saying, “I think everyone did an incredible job under the circumstances. I just have admiration for the job that everybody did.”
When a reporter pressed for details about the warning alerts, Trump pushed back, characterizing the question as malicious. “Only an evil person would ask a question like that,” he stated, emphasizing the heroism displayed by the responders.
He concluded his thoughts with the phrases, “Two words: Unity and competence. If you were to ask me two words that I’ve seen here.”
This response contrasts sharply with his criticisms of California’s Democratic officials during wildfires earlier this year, showcasing his more supportive stance in a region that strongly backs him politically.
The areas heavily impacted by the recent floods in central Texas, including Kerr County, are known as strongholds of Republican support for Trump in the upcoming 2024 election.
Earlier this week, Trump approved a major disaster declaration for Texas, which was expanded on Friday to include additional affected regions.
In his meeting with Texas Governor Greg Abbott, who is a reliable Republican ally, Trump focused on the necessity of collaboration between state and federal agencies in addressing the disaster.
Abbott noted in a press release, “There has been extraordinary collaboration with the state and the federal government to make sure that we address Texans’ needs as quickly as possible through disaster assistance programs.”
The White House has actively defended the administration against criticisms regarding cuts to the National Weather Service, with some asserting that reduced staffing and forecasting abilities could have influenced the severity of the situation.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated, “Blaming President Trump for these floods is a depraved lie, and it serves no purpose during this time of national mourning.”
In a related matter, questions have arisen regarding whether Trump still intends to phase out FEMA, with the administration remaining largely silent on the issue.
During a Cabinet meeting, Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem discussed the federal response to the floods, stating, “We as a federal government don’t manage these disasters, the state does. We come in and support them. And that’s exactly what we did here in this situation.”
Noem emphasized the federal agency’s prompt response once the major disaster declaration was signed, enabling them to deploy resources and funds swiftly.
However, in a later statement, Noem criticized FEMA’s management, echoing sentiments of mismanagement and negligence in previous administrations.
“The list of famous failures is staggering,” Noem claimed while addressing the FEMA Advisory Council, a group exploring potential reforms of the agency.
David Richardson, the acting FEMA administrator, had not visited the affected areas in Texas as of Thursday afternoon, raising concerns about on-the-ground leadership during this national crisis.
As search and recovery efforts continue, the focus remains on ensuring the necessary support and resources reach those impacted by this devastating flood.
image source from：abcnews
