President Trump expressed his appreciation for Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Executive Director Christy Noem, commending her handling of the recent deadly floods in Texas that resulted in the loss of over 120 lives. Notably, he noted her efforts in tracking the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) response to the crisis.
During a phone interview with NBC News on Thursday, Trump admitted he was not fully informed about the situation when asked about a report concerning FEMA’s funding limits and approvals. He shared that if expenditures exceed $100,000, FEMA contracts or grants require authorization. Recently, officials formed a task force aimed at expediting the approval process, as reported by NBC, citing sources familiar with the matter.
“I don’t know anything about it,” Trump stated in his conversation with “Meet the Press” host Kristen Welker. “We were right on time,” he added, emphasizing his belief in the timely response.
He acknowledged Noem’s timely presence during the crisis, saying, “She was the first person I saw on TV. She was there right from the start, but she didn’t need anything.” Trump reiterated that Noem had the situation under control and praised her involvement, noting, “she did a great job.”
FEMA’s protocols became a topic of conversation following a report from CNN that indicated Noem had not yet approved emergency support for city search and rescue teams despite the devastating flooding in Texas Hill Country. Criticism arose against both Noem and DHS for their handling of the situation, which the president dismissed, labeling the reports from CNN as “fake news.” He insisted that various rescue teams were immediately deployed and responded effectively to the disaster.
Trump is set to visit Texas on Friday, where search and rescue operations continue as over 160 individuals remain unaccounted for.
“No one has ever seen anything like this,” he remarked in an interview with NBC, characterizing the floods as a “once-in-a-200-year deal.” He added, “It’s easy to blame them,” while referring to local officials, suggesting the need for improved warning systems for future incidents.
Concerns regarding FEMA’s response in Texas have been voiced as Trump and Noem threatened to potentially remove the agency, hinting at the possibility of a restructuring. This statement stirred further discussions about the effectiveness and readiness of emergency responses.
