As President Donald Trump heads to Texas on Friday to witness the devastation caused by catastrophic flooding, he has remained noticeably quiet about his previous intentions to eliminate the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), which is responsible for disaster relief. The Trump administration has not moved away from its commitment to reduce the role of FEMA and shift disaster response responsibilities back to the states.
The flooding on July 4 has resulted in the deaths of at least 120 individuals, and, in light of this tragedy, Trump and his aides have focused on the severe impact of the disaster rather than on the government's controversial measures that appeal to his core supporters. “Nobody ever saw a thing like this coming,” Trump stated in an interview with NBC News on Thursday, referring to the flooding as a “once-in-every-200-year deal.” He indicated that he would have visited Texas sooner, but chose to wait in order not to interfere with ongoing search operations for the more than 170 people still missing.
This change in Trump's rhetoric demonstrates how a human tragedy can complicate political considerations. Initially, the administration's agenda included cutting the federal workforce and partnering with figures like Elon Musk to significantly reduce government size. However, in the face of such overwhelming disaster, the focus has shifted towards immediate humanitarian concerns.
During his visit to Texas, Trump is expected to survey the affected areas by air, a typical practice for presidents visiting disaster-stricken regions, which can alleviate the logistical challenges faced by ground authorities. He will also meet with first responders and the families of flood victims at the state emergency operations center, accompanied by Texas Republican Governor Greg Abbott and Senators John Cornyn and Ted Cruz.
In the past, Trump has used visits to disaster sites to launch political attacks, notably blaming the Biden administration for delaying disaster aid to Republican-leaning areas. First Lady Melania Trump will join him for this visit, marking one of her rare appearances accompanying him on such trips.
Trump has consistently promised to begin "phasing out" FEMA and transferring emergency response management to the states. However, during a recent Cabinet meeting, he praised the federal response to the flooding, stating, “You had people there as fast as anybody's ever seen.” When pressed about the ongoing efforts to shutter FEMA, Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt declined to elaborate, reiterating that the president aims to ensure Americans receive the necessary assistance during emergencies, irrespective of the source.
As attention is directed towards FEMA, local officials are coming under scrutiny regarding their preparedness and response to the flood. Nevertheless, some residents, like Darrin Potter of Kerr County, recognize that improvements are needed in early warning systems. Potter emphasized the challenges residents faced in evacuation efforts, arguing that the geography of the area limited their options, stating, “If you would have evacuated at 5 in the morning, all of those people would have been washed away on this road.”
During her visit to Texas, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem shared her emotional experiences witnessing the devastation, particularly around Camp Mystic, where many lives were lost. Noem emphasized the need for compassion in these difficult times while also leading a FEMA review council aimed at reforming the agency for future disasters. She drew attention to the administration's intent to cut through bureaucratic hurdles at FEMA while still ensuring that state-level management is prioritized.
