Trump and first lady mourn victims in Texas floods, meet first responders, as questions emerge about disaster response.

President and First Lady Console Grieving Families in Kerrville

President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump visited Kerrville, Texas, Friday in the wake of catastrophic floods that have claimed more than 120 lives and left over 160 people missing. Arriving in Central Texas as the community grapples with the aftermath of the Guadalupe River surging over 22 feet in a matter of hours, the Trumps met with local officials, first responders, and families deeply affected by the disaster.

At a roundtable attended by state, local, and federal officials, Trump expressed profound sorrow over the losses suffered. “I’ve never seen anything like this. This is a bad one,” he said, noting the devastation among families and the heroic efforts of emergency workers. The president and first lady offered condolences and gratitude, emphasizing that their visit was to represent the support and anguish of the entire nation. “All across the country, Americans’ hearts are shattered,” Trump stated. “We’re filled with grief and devastation. It’s the loss of life, and unfortunately, they’re still looking.”

The president praised Texas Governor Greg Abbott for his leadership, who in turn thanked Trump for swift federal support and disaster relief efforts. “We’re going to rebuild this community,” Abbott affirmed during the session.

Among the many tragedies, the loss at Camp Mystic—a Christian summer camp for girls with nearly a century of history—was acutely felt. At least 27 campers and counselors were killed when the floods swept through. Trump described them as “young angels” and noted, “They were there because they loved God. As we grieve this unthinkable tragedy, we take comfort in the knowledge that God is welcoming those little beautiful girls into his comforting arms in heaven.” First lady Melania Trump wore a bracelet to honor the lost children, stating, “We are here to honor them and also to give the support, help.”

Policy and Response Under Scrutiny

While officials commended the unity and competence of Texans during the crisis, questions have arisen about the speed and efficiency of the federal government’s response. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem, who oversees FEMA, implemented a policy in June requiring her personal approval for any department expenditure over $100,000—including disaster expenses. Reports emerged that Noem waited more than 72 hours after the flooding began before authorizing deployment of FEMA’s Urban Search and Rescue teams, though Noem dismissed these claims as “fake news.”

The Department of Homeland Security responded, stating FEMA has “taken an all-hands-on-deck approach,” replacing old procedures that “failed Americans in real emergencies for decades.” Trump also defended his administration’s performance, saying federal personnel arrived “as fast as anybody’s ever seen.” Nevertheless, some lawmakers, including Rep. Jared Moscowitz of Florida, have called for an investigation into the response timeline.

The tragedy also reignited debate about the future of FEMA, with Trump reiterating his desire to “wean off of FEMA” and transfer more responsibility to state authorities. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt explained that the president remains committed to ensuring Americans receive necessary aid, whether from federal or state resources, and the discussion about FEMA’s role will continue.

Dr. Phil McGraw, present at the roundtable, spoke about the deep sense of community and resilience in Kerrville. Trump echoed those sentiments, observing the rare unity and determination among Texans to recover together. As the community works to rebuild and searches continue for the missing, the nation’s attention remains fixed on the lessons learned from both the tragedy and the response.