Trump Quiet on FEMA Plans After Texas Flood \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ Following a devastating flash flood in Texas that killed over 100 people, President Trump has avoided discussing his controversial plan to phase out FEMA. The tragedy has temporarily muted talk of federal disaster response restructuring. Trump plans to visit the disaster area Friday alongside First Lady Melania Trump.
Quick Looks
- Trump delays FEMA phase-out talk after deadly Texas flooding.
- Flash flood killed over 100, including girls at Camp Mystic.
- Homeland Security Secretary Noem describes emotional rescue scenes.
- Trump praises state response, plans Friday site visit.
- Noem reiterates FEMA’s support role under Trump’s vision.
- Trump signed a major disaster declaration for Texas.
- Over 160 people remain missing; dozens of children dead.
- FEMA reform still under White House review, report due November.
Deep Look
In the wake of one of the deadliest natural disasters in recent U.S. history, President Donald Trump has remained notably silent on his administration’s earlier plan to dismantle the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). This comes after a catastrophic flash flood in Texas over the Fourth of July weekend killed more than 100 people, including multiple children attending a summer camp.
Despite being pressed by reporters shortly after the tragedy, Trump declined to comment on whether he still intends to phase out FEMA, which has long served as the federal government’s frontline responder in natural disasters. “It’s not the right time to talk about it,” he said briefly.
Trump also avoided mentioning FEMA during a nearly two-hour Cabinet meeting on Tuesday. Instead, he opened the session by inviting Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem to speak about her recent visit to Kerrville, Texas, where the floods had swept away homes and ravaged a girls-only summer camp.
Choking back emotion, Noem described the scene in vivid terms. “Very emotional, but also just so tragic,” she said. “We’re still looking for a lot of little girls,” she added, referring to missing campers from Camp Mystic, a century-old Christian camp that was overwhelmed by a surge of floodwater during the early morning hours of July 4.
Noem also emphasized the state-led nature of the response, reflecting Trump’s vision of a leaner federal role in disaster management. “We, as a federal government, don’t manage these disasters. The state does. We come in and support them,” she said. She praised the administration’s streamlining of FEMA processes and added, “That’s exactly your vision of how FEMA should operate.”
The flood struck with terrifying force, as a wall of water barreled through the Guadalupe River region, pulling people from cabins, trailers, and tents and dragging them for miles. Survivors were found clinging to trees. At least 27 campers and counselors are confirmed dead. Texas Governor Greg Abbott said Monday that 161 people are still missing.
Trump compared the devastation to a dam breach. “When you see one break, it’s not a pretty sight and wipes out everything. And this is the kind of thing that built up so fast,” he said.
First Lady Melania Trump will join the President on Friday when he visits the disaster zone — his second such visit since returning to office in January. Earlier this year, Trump surveyed Hurricane Helene damage in North Carolina and wildfire aftermath in California.
Though the flood’s aftermath has temporarily silenced talk of FEMA’s dismantling, Trump and Noem have previously advocated major reductions to the agency’s role, aiming to return disaster response responsibilities to the states. In June, Trump said, “We want to wean off of FEMA and bring it down to the state level.”
Critics warn that eliminating or heavily restricting FEMA would leave significant gaps in emergency services, including funding for shelter, food, and temporary housing. Nonetheless, Trump has accused FEMA of bias, particularly under former President Joe Biden, claiming certain regions like western North Carolina were neglected.
On Sunday, when asked again if he still planned to phase out FEMA, Trump brushed the question aside. “FEMA is something we can talk about later,” he said while departing for Washington. That same day, he signed a major disaster declaration for Texas, which unlocks federal funding and resources for recovery.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt echoed the President’s cautious tone during Monday’s press briefing. “The president wants to ensure American citizens always have what they need during times of need,” she said. “Whether that assistance comes from the states or the federal government, that’s a policy discussion that will continue.”
Leavitt also noted that Trump formed a council in January to evaluate FEMA’s role and effectiveness. A formal report is expected in November, which could reignite debate over the agency’s future.
As Texas mourns its losses and searches for the still-missing, federal support is flowing, even if the long-term strategy for disaster management remains under review. Trump’s silence on FEMA this week underscores how political calculations can shift quickly in the face of national tragedy—and how the future of federal disaster relief may hang in the balance of evolving crises.
Trump Quiet on Trump Quiet on Trump Quiet on
You must Register or Login to post a comment.