Rep. Jasmine Crockett, D-Texas, took aim at Republicans on Friday, accusing them of undermining climate action and prioritizing politics over the lives of their constituents in the wake of catastrophic flash flooding in central Texas.
Speaking on MSNBC’s The Weeknight, Crockett sharply criticized the Trump administration and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, claiming their delayed response to the flooding—alongside Republican budget cuts—contributed to the devastation.
“We are going to continue to face emergencies—especially after the passage of that big, ugly bill clawing back climate funding,” Crockett said. “They don’t believe in science. The least they could do is believe in helping the American people. Instead, Republicans are choosing to bury their constituents rather than help them live long, full lives.”
The deadly floods over the Fourth of July weekend left more than 120 dead across central Texas, with dozens still missing.
Democrats Tie Disaster to GOP Climate Policy
Crockett’s remarks are part of a growing number of Democratic voices linking the floods to climate change and Republican opposition to environmental initiatives. Several have cited Trump-era cuts to the National Weather Service (NWS) as worsening the response and impact of the disaster.
“This isn’t just about storms,” Crockett added. “It’s about a political ideology that ignores science and shrinks government when people need it most.”
White House Responds: ‘Shameful Politicization’
The Trump administration pushed back against the accusations. In a statement to Fox News Digital, White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson called the Democratic claims “shameful and disgusting,” adding that allegations of understaffing at the NWS had been “thoroughly debunked by meteorologists, experts, and multiple public reports.”
A U.S. flag flies over flood-damaged property in Texas
(Ashley Landis/AP Photo)
Crockett, known for her outspoken style, previously made headlines when she agreed with CNN analyst Michael Fanone’s remark that “Republicans want poor people to die as quickly as humanly possible.”
“I agree,” Crockett said at the time. “I don’t think that’s a glitch—I think it’s part of the design.”
