Trump Consoles Texas After Disaster Response Victory

President Trump Visits Texas to Address Devastation from Historic Flooding

President Donald Trump made a visit to Kerrville, Texas, where he met with local and state officials to discuss the catastrophic flooding that has left over 100 people dead in the Texas Hill Country. Sweating through his shirt, Trump stood at a black-draped table at the Happy State Bank Expo Hall, reflecting on the scenes he had witnessed during his trip.

“Nobody has any idea how and why a thing like this could happen,” Trump said during the meeting. He described the powerful surge of water that swept away girls from a local camp, noting that even the best surfers in the world would be afraid to tackle such waves.

The president praised the response to the tragedy, stating that every American should be inspired by the efforts made in the short period since the disaster. He credited his administration for quickly reforming the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), which has been a key player in disaster response.

Trump’s visit to Texas was part of a unique mission that combined consolation with promoting a new approach to natural disasters. The administration aims to reduce the federal government's role in emergency response, placing more responsibility on state and local authorities. This approach has been tested by the recent floods, marking the first major disaster since Trump began scaling back Washington’s involvement.

Despite the challenges, Trump emphasized that the federal response was “incredible.” He also suggested that the deaths, including at least 27 from a girls' camp, were an act of God that couldn’t be prevented. As the recovery continues, nearly 200 people remain missing.

Before leaving the White House, Trump’s budget director, Russ Vought, assured reporters that the president wanted Texas to receive whatever it needed. However, he also highlighted the need for FEMA to be reformed. The administration has proposed cutting the FEMA budget by $646 million, aiming to shift more disaster response responsibilities to states.

During his visit, Trump took a helicopter tour of the damage caused by the Guadalupe River flooding. Alongside First Lady Melania Trump and Texas Governor Greg Abbott, the president listened to briefings from first responders. Later, he met with them at a roundtable in Kerrville, praising the level of professionalism he observed.

When asked about why flood warnings didn’t go out sooner, Trump responded by calling the journalist “an evil person.” He also reminded Texans of their political support for him, referring to the area as a “very special place.”

However, aspects of the response have not gone smoothly, according to some FEMA employees. Concerns were raised about a directive from Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem requiring personal approval for grants or contracts over $100,000. This led to confusion and delays in the response, with initial requests for urban search and rescue crews taking three days to be approved.

FEMA employees reported that the agency was significantly behind in its usual response time, with only a few dozen staff deployed initially. Despite this, the number of federal employees on the ground in Texas has since increased, with 500 federal workers, including over 200 FEMA staffers, now present.

Noem defended the response, stating that the focus was on empowering state and local officials. A FEMA spokesman mentioned that contracts related to disaster declarations are prioritized and that the agency has provided support to Texas’s responders.

Several Democrats have called for more information about the planning for the storm and future disasters. During the event, Melania Trump shared a bracelet from Camp Mystic, one of the affected camps, as a reminder of the lives lost.

TV personality Dr. Phil attended the roundtable, offering advice on comforting those affected by the tragedy. Trump has faced criticism in the past for his approach to consoling victims, such as tossing paper towels at Puerto Ricans after Hurricane Maria and criticizing the response to California wildfires.

In Texas, where Trump enjoys strong political support, the federal response has received mixed reviews. Bob Canales, who owns a business near the Guadalupe River, expressed disappointment with the lack of federal aid, despite his own losses. He noted that local volunteers and agencies have been the primary source of assistance.

As the recovery continues, the effectiveness of the new disaster response model remains under scrutiny, with both praise and criticism from various stakeholders.