Criticism of Homeland Security Secretary Over Texas Flood Response

Representative Jared Moskowitz (D-Fla.) has criticized Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem regarding the federal government’s handling of the recent deadly floods in Texas, which resulted in the deaths of at least 120 individuals. He expressed concerns, stating, “we don’t know what she’s doing.”

During an appearance on MSNBC’s “The Foomynight,” Moskowitz emphasized that local evacuations are managed in coordination with federal authorities, suggesting Noem is out of her depth. He remarked, “If you look at what happened in Texas, the evacuation takes place at a local level in conjunction with the nation, and she doesn’t know what she’s doing.”

Moskowitz proposed a solution: “The best thing she can do now… sponsor my bill, drive FEMA out of her hometown, remove it from her, and it’s fine.” He introduced a bill in late March aimed at separating the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) from the Department of Homeland Security, elevating it to a cabinet-level agency that would report directly to the president.

“This is an organization that plays a crucial role during significant disasters, wars, and other major events,” he continued. “And she’s breaking it to the point it can’t work.”

Meanwhile, President Trump commended Noem for her federal response to the catastrophic floods in Texas, where more than 160 people are still unaccounted for, amidst criticism regarding the timeliness of FEMA’s actions. In a phone interview with NBC’s Kristen Welker, Trump noted, “We were there… she was the first thing I saw on TV.” He mentioned that her response was commendable, stating, “She had the right to do that, but she was literally the first person I’d seen on TV.”

Trump called Noem’s performance “the ball’s right” and asserted she “did a great job.” He did, however, indicate a lack of awareness regarding recent reports about FEMA, which highlight that the Secretary of DHS must approve grants or contracts exceeding $100,000. To address this issue, agency officials have formed a task force to expedite the approval process. Noem and her department have dismissed these reports from sources like CNN as “fake news.”

“It’s absolutely trash because they’re saying it,” Noem stated in an interview with Fox News. “Our Coast Guard, Border Guard, and Voltuck team were there right away, so everything they asked, we were there.”

Moskowitz expressed frustration, saying he felt “animated” by how federal emergency efforts have been managed under Noem’s leadership. He emphasized the importance of distancing politics from disaster response, stating, “We are supposed to remove politics from all this, which is why I feel very uneasy based on the decisions she has made.”

This backlash coincides with discussions within the Trump administration about potentially restructuring FEMA, suggesting a greater emphasis on state involvement in disaster responses. “When I talk to members of Congress, especially Republicans in states like Louisiana and Mississippi or Georgia, I want FEMA reforms, but I don’t want FEMA removed,” Moskowitz added, recognizing the agency’s critical role in areas frequently affected by hurricanes.