Homeland Security Secretary Defends FEMA’s Response to Texas Floods
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem stated on Sunday that the backlash against the federal government’s handling of the recent deadly floods in Texas was driven by political motives, labeling accusations from Democratic lawmakers as “absolutely mean.”
During her appearance on “Fox News Sunday,” Noem pushed back against claims that FEMA’s response was delayed and against Senator Chris Murphy’s assertions regarding firings of FEMA employees during the crisis. “You know, this memo and this criticism are all politics because I was there,” she mentioned. “We were responsive every time someone asked for assistance; we acted quickly.”
Noem noted that both she and over 700 FEMA personnel were on the ground within hours of the initial communication with Texas officials. She mentioned that the Coast Guard was also deployed immediately following their call.
Response Speed Compared to Previous Administration
The floods that occurred around July 4 resulted in at least 129 fatalities, and officials estimate that over 160 individuals may still be missing in Kerr County. Noem highlighted that FEMA’s reaction to the floods was “the fastest” in the agency’s history, contrasting it with what she described as a poor performance under the Biden administration. “We ran FEMA the way President Trump ran it,” she declared.
“I’m proud of what we accomplished. We didn’t take over but supported local management and provided necessary resources while Texas officials handled the situation effectively,” Noem added.
Rebutting Claims of Delayed Response
When asked about Murphy’s allegations regarding a delay in FEMA’s response, Noem strongly dismissed them, calling his comments “an absolute lie.” She expressed concern about the politicization of the tragedy, particularly while families were still searching for their missing loved ones. “It’s absolutely sleazy,” she remarked, emphasizing the need for the truth to reach the American people.
Noem argued that this type of political maneuvering not only harms Texans grieving who are affected by the disaster, but it also takes a toll on the nation as a whole.
The Secretary also touched on recent federal court rulings that placed temporary restraints on various ICE operations in Southern California, labeling those decisions “silly” and affirming that the federal government plans to appeal those rulings.
