Trump Defends Texas Flood Response Amid Criticism Over Warning Delays and Budget Cuts

President Donald Trump visited Kerr County, Texas, on Friday to assess the aftermath of deadly flash floods that claimed at least 120 lives, including dozens of children, over the July 4 holiday. Touring the flood-ravaged Hill Country, Trump praised Texas Governor Greg Abbott and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem for their “incredible job” responding to the disaster.

During a roundtable with first responders, Trump faced criticism over delayed warnings and previous budget cuts to FEMA and the National Weather Service. He dismissed the criticism, calling a reporter's question "very evil" and insisting the response was strong given the circumstances.

The flooding hit suddenly in the early hours of Independence Day after over a foot of rain fell in an hour, sending the Guadalupe River surging from 1 to 34 feet. The disaster is the deadliest of Trump’s presidency so far. Rescue teams continue to search for more than 160 missing people, many from Camp Mystic, a girls’ summer camp near the river.

Local resident Lawrence Walker criticized the lack of early-warning systems, while others like Jon Moreno argued that warnings may not have prevented tragedy given the location of homes along the river. Trump avoided answering questions about his administration’s plan to shrink FEMA and reassign disaster management responsibilities to states.

The Texas legislature will hold a special session to investigate the disaster and approve relief funding. Meanwhile, criticism over Trump's recently signed "Big Beautiful Bill" continues, with graffiti at a local gas station blaming it for cuts to emergency funding.

Despite mounting questions, Trump maintained that both state and federal teams acted decisively, even as experts debate whether better preparation could have reduced the devastating toll.