Kristi Noem: Trump’s Texas Flood Response a Sharp Contrast to Biden-Era Disaster Relief

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem stated on Saturday that the swift and aggressive federal response to the deadly flooding in Texas Hill Country stands as a clear example of the Trump administration’s reimagined approach to disaster management.

The catastrophic floods, which struck over the Fourth of July weekend, claimed at least 119 lives and left more than 150 people missing. Among the unaccounted were 27 girls attending Camp Mystic, located along the Guadalupe River in Hunt, Texas.

“What you saw unfold in Texas reflects President Trump’s vision for a more agile and effective Federal Emergency Management Agency,” Noem said during a press briefing.

She added pointedly, “Our approach in Texas was significantly different from how Joe Biden’s team has handled similar disasters.”

Noem drew comparisons to past emergencies under Biden’s watch, citing delays in federal assistance. She referenced the 2023 train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, where the administration concluded that the chemical incident did not qualify for a FEMA disaster designation, resulting in a two-week delay before federal help arrived.

She also criticized the federal reaction to the 2023 wildfires in Maui, which killed over 100 people and left historic Lahaina in ruins. Survivors were left without essential supplies, and then-FEMA Administrator Michael Brown described the government’s handling as a “total failure.”

Additional backlash surrounded the Biden administration’s response to Hurricane Helene in late 2024, which devastated areas across North Carolina, Georgia, and South Carolina, where aid was reportedly slow and disorganized.

Trump, during a January visit to North Carolina, had already signaled his intention to overhaul the agency: “I’m signing an executive order to begin reforming—or possibly dismantling—FEMA. It’s broken and it’s not working.”

Noem highlighted that under Trump’s leadership, aid was mobilized for Texas even before the worst of the flooding hit.

“Our Coast Guard, air rescue crews, and specially trained Border Patrol Tactical Unit (BORTAC) were dispatched immediately,” she noted. “These teams are trained for extreme scenarios like this—they are our rapid-response force.”

Following the floods, Noem met with Texas Governor Greg Abbott to coordinate an emergency declaration. Within just hours of Abbott’s request, the White House gave its official approval, according to reports from Fox News.

“We went further by pre-allocating emergency funds to the state—something FEMA has never done before,” Noem said. “This allowed local leaders to act swiftly without bureaucratic delays.”

She stressed that Trump’s philosophy is to strengthen state control during emergencies, with federal support serving to reinforce—not replace—local leadership.

“Disasters are first handled locally, then at the state level. Federal agencies are meant to supplement those efforts—not act as the first responder,” she said. “Waiting on Washington hasn’t worked, and we’re changing that.”

Noem emphasized that under Trump, FEMA’s role has already started to evolve and may not exist in its traditional form for long.

“We’re in the process of a total transformation,” she stated. “President Trump might even rename the agency to reflect its new mission. But what’s certain is that the days of slow-moving paperwork and multi-year claim delays are over.”

The future agency, she explained, would work closely with state and local emergency officials to identify immediate needs, provide rapid training, and ensure communities are equipped to respond the moment disaster strikes.

“It’s about putting tools and trust in the hands of those who are already on the ground when crisis hits,” she concluded.