Trump, First Lady Visit Texas Flood Disaster

President Donald Trump traveled to central Texas on Friday to survey the catastrophic flooding that has killed at least 120 people and left more than 170 missing. While Trump has previously pledged to eliminate FEMA and devolve disaster response to states, he focused on the magnitude and human tragedy of the disaster during his visit. Trump extended the major disaster declaration to include more Texas counties, enabling them to receive federal aid, and conducted an aerial tour of the affected areas, meeting with first responders and families of victims. He was accompanied by First Lady Melania Trump, Texas Governor Greg Abbott, and Senators John Cornyn and Ted Cruz. The visit underscored the political challenges disasters create, prompting Trump to pause his government-reduction agenda. The president described the flooding as a 'once-in-every-200-year deal' and highlighted the event's unprecedented severity.