As the death toll continues to rise following catastrophic flash flooding in central Texas, President Donald Trump had a stern response to a journalist who questioned the federal response.
The floods, which struck over the July 4th holiday, have left at least 129 dead and more than 150 people missing. One of the worst hit was Camp Mystic on the Guadalupe River in Kerr County, where at least 27 campers and counselors lost their lives.
In one of the worst natural disasters in Texas history, the Guadalupe River rose by 26 feet in less than an hour, overwhelming emergency systems and sweeping away homes, businesses, and residents.
Trump: "Only an Evil Person Would Ask a Question Like That"
Now, controversy has arisen during a roundtable at the Hill Country Youth Event Center in Kerrville, Texas, on July 11, where President Trump met with local officials and first responders.
During the event, a CBS News reporter asked: “Several families we heard from are obviously upset because they say those warnings, those alerts didn’t go out in time, and they also say that people could have been saved. What do you say to those families?”—Trump initially responded with composure.
“Well, I think everyone did an incredible job under the circumstances,” he said.
But the tone quickly shifted.
“Only a bad person would ask a question like that, to be honest with you,” Trump continued. “I don’t know who you are, but only a very evil person would ask a question like that.
“It’s easy to sit back and say, ‘Oh, what could have happened here or there, you know? Maybe we could have done something differently?’ This was a thing that has never happened before."
He later doubled down: “This has been heroism,” and added, “Really, the job you've all done... It’s amazing, the incredible spirit from those families.”
Trump’s statement that this was a “one in 1,000 years” disaster echoes language used by Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, who joined him in defending the state’s emergency response, per News18.
Growing Criticism Over Missed Warnings
Despite Trump’s praise for responders, scrutiny of the early warning system has intensified. According to reports, the National Weather Service issued two flood warnings overnight before the disaster struck, but Kerrville’s mayor stated that local authorities weren’t aware of the flooding until hours later due to the timing.
Further reporting from the New York Times revealed that officials had requested funding for a more robust flood warning system at least three times prior to the flood — each time denied by the state.
Meanwhile, local dispatch audio confirmed that Kerr County officials waited 90 minutes to send an emergency alert after it had been requested, ABC News reports.
Rep. Chip Roy: “Pointing Fingers Is for Losers”
Conservative Rep. Chip Roy, who accompanied Trump during the visit, condemned the media for its questioning. “For all of the media clamoring to ask that ridiculous first question and try to point fingers, the governor said it best when he said pointing fingers is for losers,” he stated.
"This state is about looking forward, and we'll figure out how to make our systems the best they can be. But more importantly, when you see 26 feet of water rising a foot per minute, don't go around pointing fingers," Roy added.
FEMA and Emergency Management Under Spotlight
As Trump praised local and federal collaboration, questions about the future of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) also resurfaced.
“We have some good people running FEMA,” Trump said on Friday. “It’s about time, right? We get some good ones. They failed us in North Carolina. But when we got in on Jan. 20, they fixed it up in no time.”
Secretary Kristi Noem, who is leading a task force to evaluate FEMA reforms, reinforced the administration’s state-first approach. “Emergencies and disasters are always locally executed,” she said. “The state manages them. And then the federal government comes in and supports. What we are doing here, sir, is empowering the state and the local officials to make the best decisions for their people.”
She added: “Thank you for being a president who trusts people.”
“Unity and Competence”
Despite the tragedy and controversy, Trump concluded the roundtable with a focus on what he described as national strength and capability in the face of disaster.
“Two words: Unity and competence. If you were to ask me two words that I've seen here,” he said.
But with more than 170 people still unaccounted for, and survivors continuing to call for accountability, those two words may not be enough to quell the rising public anger.
Our thoughts continue to go out to every family and person impacted by this tragedy.