President Trump visits Texas flood victims, praising local officials amidst criticism over delayed flood warnings. Following devastating Texas floods that claimed at least 129 lives and left over 170 missing, President Trump toured the damage in Kerrville, commending state and local responses despite criticism regarding insufficient early warnings. His visit contrasted with past criticisms of disaster responses in other states, showcasing a more empathetic tone while highlighting the ongoing search efforts
Despite past pledges to abolish FEMA and shrink government, President Trump praised Texas officials' response to the devastating July 4th floods, highlighting the state's resilience and the heroic efforts of first responders. His visit to the flood-stricken areas showcased a shift in tone, emphasizing empathy and support for the victims and emergency personnel amidst the ongoing search for the missing
President Trump offers condolences and praise amidst Texas flood devastation. Visiting the hardest-hit areas of the Republican state, he expressed sympathy for victims and effusively praised first responders and elected officials, contrasting with previous criticisms of disaster responses in other states. His visit followed the deadly July 4th floods, leaving dozens dead and many missing. The President highlighted the ongoing search efforts and the dedication of those involved in the rescue and recovery operations
President Trump visits Texas flood victims, praising the "unbelievable" first responders searching for the missing in the wake of the devastating July 4th disaster. Amidst the ongoing search for over 170 missing persons and the death toll exceeding 129, he commended state and local officials at a Kerrville emergency operations center, underscoring the heroic efforts in the face of this catastrophic Texas flooding
President Trump praised Texas officials' exceptional response to the devastating Texas floods, stating they are "unbelievable" and performing the job better than anyone else
Following the devastating July 4th Texas floods, which claimed at least 129 lives and left over 170 missing, President Trump's response has shifted. His previous calls to dismantle FEMA and return disaster response to states remain unaddressed, replaced by a focus on the unprecedented scale of the Hill Country tragedy and its impact on Texans
President Trump expresses sympathy for Texas flood victims' families, sharing the devastation witnessed during a private meeting with relatives of the deceased and missing following the deadly July 4th floods. The first lady joined him in offering condolences amidst the ongoing search and rescue efforts
Honoring the victims
President Trump's Texas flood response highlights the impact of tragedy on political priorities. Despite his administration's focus on shrinking the federal government, including FEMA, the President adopted a somber tone, praising first responders and expressing sympathy for victims of the devastating Camp Mystic tragedy, where at least 27 perished. This shift underscores the human cost of natural disasters and the complexities of political calculations in the face of such devastation
President Trump offers condolences to Texas flood victims, praising their faith and the tireless efforts of first responders amidst the devastating tragedy. He expressed comfort in knowing the deceased are in God's care, while commending the ongoing search and rescue operations in the wake of the deadly Hill Country floods
Following a visit to flood-ravaged Texas, First Lady Melania Trump shared a moving encounter with young girls from a local camp. The girls gifted her a special bracelet, a poignant tribute to the victims of the devastating July 4th floods. The First Lady pledged her future support for the camp
President Trump expands federal disaster aid to nine Texas counties ravaged by devastating floods. Following deadly July 4th flooding, the declaration extends federal financial assistance for recovery and rebuilding efforts to Kerr County and eight additional impacted areas
President Trump visits Texas flood victims, offering condolences and praise for first responders amidst the devastation. He expressed sympathy for the heartbroken families and lauded the tireless efforts of state and local officials in the aftermath of the deadly central Texas floods
Despite claiming to avoid politics, President Trump boasted about his administration's impact on egg prices and dismissed Democratic flood response criticism during a Texas flood damage tour. He praised state and local officials' efforts, contrasting this with his past criticism of Democrat-led disaster responses
Trump praises Texas officials' flood response, contrasting their efforts with criticism faced by Democrats in past disasters. He lauded the "incredible job" done by Texas Governor and local officials amidst the devastating Texas floods, highlighting their effectiveness in the search for missing persons and disaster relief
Despite previous calls to "phase out" FEMA, President Trump praised the agency's response to the devastating Texas floods, stating they have "good people" working to help. This marks a shift from his earlier stance on shrinking the federal government and eliminating FEMA
At the White House, Russell Vought, director of the Office of Management and Budget, similarly dodged questions Friday about FEMA’s future. He said that the agency has billions of dollars in reserves “to continue to pay for necessary expenses.”
“We also want FEMA to be reformed,” Vought said. “The president is going to continue to be asking tough questions of all of us agencies, no different than any other opportunity to have better government.”
On the ground in devastated communities, meanwhile, some state and local officials have faced questions about how well they were prepared and how quickly they acted — including if warning systems might have given more people time to evacuate.
Asked about such concerns during his appearance at the operations center in Kerrville, Trump called a reporter “evil” and said he thought “everyone did an incredible job under the circumstances.”
“I admire you, and I consider you heroes,” Trump said of the officials around him.
He also praised a long list of Texas Republicans and had especially kind words for Rep. Chip Roy, who represents some of the hardest-hit areas. A staunch conservative, Roy initially opposed Trump’s sweeping tax-cut and spending package but ultimately supported it.
“He’s not easy, but he’s good,” Trump said of Roy. The congressman, for his part, bristled at questions about authorities’ flood response, calling the queries about inadequate flood warnings “ridiculous.”
Prior to the roundtable, Air Force One landed in San Antonio and Trump deplaned in a suit while the first lady wore more casual clothing — though both wore ball caps against the heat. The Trumps then boarded a helicopter to Kerrville and saw the flooding aftermath from the air. They later walked close to the Guadalupe River to receive a briefing from officials near an overturned tractor trailer, numerous downed trees and other debris.
Roads in the center of town were shut down, and people lined the streets, some wearing Trump hats and T-shirts and waving American flags. Green ribbons recognizing the lives lost at Camp Mystic were tied around trees, poles and along bridges, and marquees featured slogans such as “Hill Country Strong” and “Thank you first responders.”
Harris Currie, a rancher from Utopia, Texas, near Kerrville, said the flood devastation can be fully understood only by seeing it firsthand.
“Pictures do not do it justice,” Currie said.
Asked what officials on the ground needed most urgently from federal sources, Kerr County Commissioner Jeff Holt, who also is a volunteer firefighter, stressed the need for repairs to nonworking phone towers and “maybe a little better early warning system.”
Trump himself has suggested that a major warning system should be established, though few details have been offered on what that might eventually entail.
Friday’s visit was far different from the other times the first couple visited natural disaster sites, during Trump’s first weekend back in the White House in January. They toured North Carolina to scope out damage from Hurricane Helene and saw the aftermath of wildfires in Los Angeles, and the president sharply criticized the administration of his predecessor, President Joe Biden, and officials from deep-blue California.
“The state of Texas, No. 1 they do it right and they’ve done it right for a long time,” Trump said. “And it’s a very special place to me.”
For two decades, HuffPost has been fearless, unflinching, and relentless in pursuit of the truth. Support our mission to keep us around for the next 20 — we can’t do this without you.
We remain committed to providing you with the unflinching, fact-based journalism everyone deserves.
Thank you again for your support along the way. We’re truly grateful for readers like you! Your initial support helped get us here and bolstered our newsroom, which kept us strong during uncertain times. Now as we continue, we need your help more than ever. We hope you will join us once again.
We remain committed to providing you with the unflinching, fact-based journalism everyone deserves.
Thank you again for your support along the way. We’re truly grateful for readers like you! Your initial support helped get us here and bolstered our newsroom, which kept us strong during uncertain times. Now as we continue, we need your help more than ever. We hope you will join us once again.
Already contributed? Log in to hide these messages.
For two decades, HuffPost has been fearless, unflinching, and relentless in pursuit of the truth. Support our mission to keep us around for the next 20 — we can’t do this without you.
Already contributed? Log in to hide these messages.
___
Weissert reported from Washington.
Source: Original Article