KERRVILLE, Texas — On Friday, President Donald Trump visited Texas to survey the catastrophic flooding that has ravaged the area, offering commendations to state and local officials amid criticisms that warning systems may have failed to alert residents about the impending disaster in a timely manner.
Historically vocal about shrinking the federal government and shuttering the Federal Emergency Management Agency, Trump often targets Democrat-led states over their handling of natural disasters. However, in the country’s most populous Republican state, he adopted a more somber and compassionate approach, expressing empathy for the victims and heaping praise on those leading the relief efforts.
“The search for the missing continues. The people that are doing it are unbelievable,” Trump remarked at a makeshift emergency operations center in Kerrville, which prominently displayed a “Texas Strong” banner. “You couldn’t get better people, and they’re doing the job like I don’t think anybody else could, frankly,” he later added. Since the disaster on July 4, resulting in at least 129 fatalities and leaving over 170 people missing, Trump has refrained from discussing his previous pledges to eliminate FEMA, instead focusing on the unique and tragic nature of the calamity in central Texas.
“We just visited with incredible families. They’ve been devastated,” the president said on a confidential meeting he and First Lady Melania Trump held with families who lost loved ones or who still have missing relatives.
Trump’s shift in narrative highlights how unforeseen tragedies can challenge political promises, even as he prioritizes reducing the federal workforce. During his visit, he dedicated considerable time honoring the memory of those at Camp Mystic, an all-girls Christian summer camp that claimed at least 27 lives during the disaster.
“They were there because they loved God. And, as we grieve this unthinkable tragedy, we take comfort in the knowledge that God has welcomed those little beautiful girls into his comforting arms in heaven,” said Trump.
Expressing her own sympathies, the First Lady recounted meeting “beautiful young ladies” from the affected area, who gifted her a “special bracelet from the camp in honor of all the little girls that lost their lives,” and she committed to future support for the camp.
The president approved Texas’ request for extending a major disaster declaration beyond Kerr County to include eight additional counties, making financial assistance available for recovery and rebuilding efforts. “All across the country, Americans’ hearts are shattered,” Trump stated, underscoring his commitment to being with the state in such difficult times.
Despite expressing a desire to steer clear of politics, Trump couldn’t resist mentioning his administration’s success in lowering egg prices nationwide, and he dismissed Democratic criticisms of the flood response by saying, “All they want to do is criticize.” He commended the governor’s efforts, noting the Democrats’ intense scrutiny was unfounded.
Moreover, the President reaffirmed his belief in the leadership of FEMA, saying, “we’ve got some good people” at the agency, a departure from his earlier stance on phasing it out. Questions about FEMA’s future were sidestepped by Russell Vought, Director of the Office of Management and Budget, indicating reforms might take precedence over shutting down the agency outright.
While on the ground, both state and local authorities faced inquiries about their preparedness and the efficiency of their response, including whether better warning mechanisms could have given residents more time to evacuate. Addressing these concerns, Trump labeled a reporter “evil” and praised the efforts of all involved under the dire circumstances.
Trump acknowledged the hard work of Texas Republicans and gave a special nod to Rep. Chip Roy, describing him as “not easy, but he’s good,” irrespective of their political differences.
Before the roundtable discussions, the first couple surveyed the devastation from the air in a helicopter. They then received briefings near significant damage, including an overturned tractor trailer and numerous downed trees. Residents lined the streets of Kerrville in support, some wearing Trump hats and waving American flags, while others paid tribute with green ribbons for those who perished at Camp Mystic.
Despite understanding the full extent of the damage requires seeing it firsthand, as rancher Harris Currie remarked, local officials indicated essential needs, such as repairing phone towers and developing a more robust early warning system.
In contrast to previous disaster site visits, such as North Carolina or California, where Trump sharply criticized his predecessor’s administration and Democratic officials, his remarks in Texas painted a picture of admiration for the state’s resilience, stating, “The state of Texas, No. 1 they do it right and they’ve done it right for a long time. And it’s a very special place to me.”