President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump will visit Kerrville, Texas, on Friday, July 11, following catastrophic flash flooding that began on July 4. The floods have killed at least 120 people and left more than 170 missing, including campers and staff from Camp Mystic, a girls’ summer camp on the Guadalupe River.
Trump said he delayed the visit to avoid disrupting active search-and-rescue efforts.
How does FEMA play a role in disaster response?
The administration’s response has drawn scrutiny amid Trump’s longstanding pledge to dismantle the Federal Emergency Management Agency and shift disaster relief to the states. Under the direction of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, FEMA recently adopted a policy requiring Noem to personally approve all expenses over $100,000, including rescue deployments.
Critics argue that policy and recent staffing reductions may have slowed the response. According to The New York Times, FEMA has lost about 25% of its workforce in the past year.
Has Trump changed his stance on FEMA?
While Trump has frequently advocated for phasing out FEMA, he hasn’t repeated that position publicly since the flooding.
During a cabinet meeting on Tuesday, July 8, he praised the federal response, telling Noem, “You had people there as fast as anybody’s ever seen.”
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said the president is committed to ensuring Americans receive necessary disaster assistance through federal or state channels.
What’s on the itinerary for Friday’s visit?
During Friday’s visit, Trump plans to take an aerial tour of the disaster zone, receive briefings from emergency officials, and meet with first responders and victims’ families. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott and U.S. Sens. John Cornyn and Ted Cruz plan to join him on the trip.
