Trump Avoids FEMA Comments After Texas Floods Kill 100+

Following a devastating flash flood in Texas that killed over 100 people, including many children, President Donald Trump has avoided discussing his administration's controversial plan to phase out the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), stating it is not the right time to talk about it. Trump plans to visit the disaster area with First Lady Melania Trump, while Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem emphasized the state's lead role in disaster management and described the tragedy in emotional terms during a Cabinet meeting. The flooding exposed the shortcomings of outdated local flood warning systems in Kerr County, part of Texas's flood-prone Flash Flood Alley, where officials' previous requests for federal aid to modernize warning technology were denied, contributing to the high death toll. Trump deflected questions on whether cuts to the National Weather Service affected preparedness, instead partially attributing the disaster to conditions set by the previous administration, though he later softened this stance. Public outrage has pushed Texas leadership, including Lt. Governor Dan Patrick and the governor, to commit to funding improvements in flood warning systems that might have saved lives if implemented years ago. The disaster has temporarily muted discussions around FEMA restructuring, highlighting tensions between federal and state roles in disaster response.