Trump Pledges Full Funding for Texas Flood Recovery, Criticizes Democrats

In a visit to the Central Texas county hardest hit by recent deadly, catastrophic flooding, President Donald Trump pledged to "fully fund" federal recovery assistance, gave his condolences to the victims’ families and bashed Democratic lawmakers and reporters who have asked whether the deaths could have been prevented.

The Republican president on Friday visited Kerrville, the seat of Kerr County, where the Guadalupe River swept away entire camps and neighborhoods overnight July 4, killing at least 60 adults and 36 children. More than 160 are still missing in the county, officials said Wednesday, and no flood victims have been found alive since the day of the flood.

"It’s hard to believe the devastation," Trump told reporters at the Hill Country Youth Center. "I’ve never seen anything like it. I’ve gone to a lot of bad ones, and I’ve never seen anything like this."

Nodding to Camp Mystic, a summer camp that lost dozens of young girls during the flood, he said, "They were there because they loved God, and as we grieve this unthinkable tragedy, we take comfort in knowing that God has welcomed those beautiful children."

Statewide, the death toll has reached at least 120, including 17 in the Austin area, after a flash flood on July 5 caused widespread inundations in Travis, Williamson and Burnet counties. The death toll in the state has surpassed that of Trump’s first disaster as president, Hurricane Harvey, which killed 88 Texans.

Before addressing reporters, the president, First Lady Melania Trump and Abbott stopped at Louise Hays Park, where an overturned tractor-trailer could be seen near the Guadalupe River. Local officials briefed them on the damage, according to pool reports. The president also spoke with victims’ families, he said.

Trump was joined on the visit by Dr. Phil and a panoply of state and federal officials, including U.S. Sens. Ted Cruz and John Cornyn and U.S. House members from around Texas. Republicans state Sen. Pete Flores and state Rep. Wes Virdell, both of whom represent Kerr County, attended as well.

As of Friday morning, Trump had an active federal disaster declaration for six counties: Kerr, Travis, Williamson, Burnet, San Saba and Tom Green. The declaration means underinsured individuals in those areas can seek reimbursement for rebuilding costs from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Trump praised Gov. Greg Abbott, local officials, the Coast Guard, first responders and his own administration for their response to the floods. He also took pains to thank elected officials and voters in the region for their support.

"The state of Texas, they do it right, and they’ve done it right for a long time," he said. "Politically, I don’t want to (talk) politics, but politically, it’s been a very special place for me."

After a reporter from CBS News Texas asked whether residents could have been warned sooner, Trump said that "only an evil person would ask a question like that."

"I think everyone did an incredible job under the circumstances," Trump said. "It’s very easy to sit back and say, ‘Oh, we could have done something differently’... Nobody’s ever seen anything, I’ve never seen anything like this."

His answer paralleled Abbott’s response in a news conference in Kerrville earlier this week, when he said only losers seek to find blame.

Austin Republican U.S. Rep. Chip Roy seconded Trump and Abbott.

"The governor said it best when he said ‘pointing fingers is for losers,’" Roy, who represents Kerrville, said to reporters.

Floods put Trump on the defensive

The disaster has put the Trump administration on the defensive over proposed cuts to the Federal Emergency Management Agency and staffing shortages at the National Weather Service. On Friday, several congressional Democrats demanded an investigation into FEMA’s response to the floods.

"We are deeply concerned not only that Secretary Noem may have effectively crippled the agency’s ability to respond to this crisis, but also that she failed to personally act to ensure a timely response," the federal lawmakers – Reps. Greg Casar of Austin, Jasmine Crockett of Dallas and Robert Garcia of California – wrote in a letter to David Richardson, the acting head of FEMA.

The lawmakers, all members of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, also demanded answers from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration on whether reported vacancies at the weather service in Texas may have affected the agency’s warnings or its coordination with local officials.

"We know that extreme weather events, including unpredictable flooding, will increase in frequency and intensity," the Democrats wrote. "Crucial information is needed to fully assess any impact of these vacancies on the July 2025 tragedy and on future weather disasters that could threaten American lives without the right personnel in place."

Beyond the criticism aimed at Trump, some have also turned their frustration to the state of Texas, which repeatedly denied requests from Kerr County for approximately $1 million to establish a siren-based flood warning system, Hearst Newspapers reported.

Trump dismissed the criticism, saying Democrats were using it as a distraction.

"I’ve seen some of the people (the Democrats) are putting forward and these people will ruin our nation."

In Kerrville, the flood leaves its marks

All over Kerrville and the surrounding countryside, gnarled trees bent over into themselves or stood uprooted in flood-scarred fields. On the wide Guadalupe River, search crews scanned the riverbed, hoping to find people who could be trapped several feet below.

On the roads remained evidence of the breadth of the statewide response to the floods: vehicles from Austin-Travis County EMS, the Buda Fire Department, North Blanco County EMS and the Woodlands Fire Department lined debris-filled areas.

Down the road from the youth center where Trump addressed reporters, every inch of the local American Legion’s bingo hall brimmed with donations of toilet paper, shampoo, pantry items and other provisions for flood victims. Angelica Ramos, who organized the supply drive, said she witnessed an "outpouring of love" from people across the state and country.

She said many Kerrville residents are still searching for family members and haven’t stopped to think about what supplies they’ll need for the next few weeks.

"People are not processing that they don't have anything, because they're still out looking for their loved ones," Ramos said.

"We're thankful because we feel like he's working for the people," said Kerrville resident Lisa Sullivan. "For the most part, we love him."

Looking ahead

Noem, the Homeland secretary, urged families to write down memories of the loved ones they lost.

"The greatest fear when you lose someone in your life is that people will forget them," she said.

Officials pledged not to forget Kerr County in the weeks and months to come. Trump said he will take "historic action" to find out how Texas can prevent tragedy going forward, and Abbott said he’ll seek answers during a special session.

The first lady said she promised families that they would return to the area.

"We are grieving with you," she said. "The nation is grieving with you."