Kerrville, Texas – Former U.S. President Donald Trump visited flood-ravaged Central Texas on Friday and praised first responders, law enforcement officials, and community volunteers for their swift and heroic response. The visit comes as local and federal agencies continue to face mounting criticism over preparedness and response failures during what has been termed a “once-in-every-200-year” weather catastrophe.
🇺🇸 Trump’s Statement: Praises Local Heroes
Speaking to a gathering of first responders and local officials in Kerrville, Texas, Trump said:
“The people here — first responders, the sheriff’s office, law enforcement — they’ve done an unbelievable job. This was a terrible situation but we appreciate the job you’ve done very much — very special people.”
Trump also thanked the “countless volunteers” and civilians who rushed to assist flood survivors in the aftermath of the deadly flash floods that swept through Central Texas earlier this month.
“They’re talented and they’ve got a big heart… It’s amazing what you’re doing,” he added, calling the community response “unbelievable” and “incredible.”
The Texas Floods: What Happened?
Between July 4 and July 6, record rainfall in Central Texas triggered catastrophic flash flooding, especially in Kerr County and surrounding areas. Dozens of homes and businesses were destroyed, and at least 32 deaths have been confirmed so far, with several people still missing. Emergency officials described the flooding as one of the worst in the state’s recent history.
While the disaster prompted a large-scale response from first responders and volunteers, questions quickly surfaced about whether federal agencies, particularly FEMA and the National Weather Service (NWS), had acted swiftly and effectively.
Mounting Criticism: Was the Government Prepared?
Trump’s visit came amid growing criticism of the federal response. Two major concerns have emerged:
1️⃣ National Weather Service Cuts Spark Outrage
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer recently called on a government watchdog to investigate whether budget and staffing cuts at the National Weather Service (NWS) impacted its ability to forecast and warn communities ahead of time.
- According to reports, the Trump administration had previously implemented budget reductions and allowed multiple forecasting positions to go unfilled.
- Despite the criticism, the NWS defended its performance, claiming it deployed extra forecasters in Texas over the holiday weekend.
The Trump administration, in turn, insisted that the event was an “act of God” and that no forecasting agency could have fully anticipated the speed or severity of the flash floods.
2️⃣ FEMA Under Fire for Inaction
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) also came under fire after The New York Times revealed that two-thirds of calls to its disaster assistance line went unanswered on July 6.
- The delay was reportedly due to hundreds of contractors being let go just one day prior — on July 5 — after FEMA failed to extend their contracts.
- Critics say this decision left flood survivors stranded without help during the most critical hours after the disaster.
The Washington Post further reported that the Trump administration had considered scaling back or restructuring FEMA, potentially shifting much of its responsibilities to individual states, raising concerns about future disaster readiness.
Trump’s Response to the Criticism
Speaking to Fox News in Kerrville, Trump dismissed the political blame game, saying: “It happens any time there’s anything — ‘It’s Trump’s fault’… It’s just like a soundbite.”
He doubled down on the claim that warning systems were in place and the agencies did their jobs effectively: “They actually gave a lot of warnings… and they did a really good job.”
When pressed by a reporter about whether delayed warnings cost lives, Trump reportedly lashed out: “Only an evil person would ask a question like that.”
Trump concluded by reinforcing the heroic actions of local responders, saying: “This has been heroism. This has been incredible. Really, the job you’ve all done.”
Looking Ahead: Lessons and Accountability
While Trump praised the community and first responders, experts and lawmakers stress the need for a full investigation into the failures of communication and response that may have cost lives.
There are ongoing calls for:
- Rehiring and properly training FEMA call center staff
- Reevaluating the role of federal disaster agencies
- Restoring full staffing and funding at the National Weather Service
- Developing localized early warning systems with real-time alerts
The disaster, which Trump described as a “nightmare that should never happen again,” serves as a wake-up call for better preparedness.
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