Noem criticizes CNN’s claim that she postponed the DHS response to the Texas flood as nonsense.

DHS Secretary Responds to CNN Report on FEMA’s Flood Response

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary, Christy Noem, has pushed back against a CNN report claiming FEMA’s response to the severe floods in Texas was delayed since last weekend.

During an appearance on “Fox & Friends,” Noem addressed CNN’s assertion that FEMA, a DHS agency, faced a “bureaucratic obstacle” hindering its ability to deliver vital resources to disaster victims in central Texas.

“Well, we’re going there. Fake news. CNN. It says that and absolutely throws what they’re doing in the trash,” Noem stated to the host of the Fox News channel.

The catastrophic floods, which hit parts of central Texas near the Guadalupe River over the July 4th weekend, resulted in over 100 fatalities and more than 150 individuals are still unaccounted for.

A recent order from Noem indicated that all DHS contracts and grants exceeding $100,000 require her personal authorization, which has reportedly stalled FEMA’s efforts to secure funds for disaster relief and contracts with local teams.

CNN’s report mentioned that this order has stripped FEMA of much of its autonomy precisely when it was most needed.

Long-time FEMA officials informed CNN that the agency traditionally operates under a defined set of guidelines to effectively prepare for and respond to emergencies. However, sources questioned the clarity of these protocols in the current situation.

“In the past, FEMA would have mobilized its teams swiftly, especially those trained for urgent situations close to disaster zones. They were prepared for immediate action,” sources from various agencies explained to CNN.

According to reports, Noem did not authorize FEMA’s search and rescue teams to deploy until Monday, which was over 72 hours after the flooding began.

On “Fox & Friends,” Noem counters claims regarding the delayed deployment, asserting that DHS teams were on the ground promptly.

“Our Coast Guard, our Border Patrol Voltac teams were there right away. Everything they needed, we provided,” she emphasized.

Noem praised the work of Texas Governor Greg Abbott and Emergency Management Director Nim Kidd, indicating they did not fully communicate what was necessary in the aftermath.

She also mentioned that her department is managing flood responses in New Mexico and North Carolina, where they are collaborating with local ground teams.

Continuing her critique, Noem expressed frustration about CNN’s coverage, stating, “The fact that CNN remains political and promotes false information is not surprising, but it’s harmful to the country.”