Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem on Sunday forcefully rejected Democratic criticism of the federal response to the deadly July 4th flooding in Texas, calling it politically motivated and “absolutely despicable.”
Appearing on Fox News Sunday, Noem dismissed claims from Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) that the Trump administration had delayed relief or fired FEMA staff while flood victims sought help.
“This memo and this criticism—it’s all politics,” Noem said. “I was there. Every time someone asked for help, we delivered. We didn’t delay a single request.”
FEMA Responded Within Hours, Noem Says
According to Noem, more than 700 FEMA personnel were on the ground within hours of her initial call with Texas officials. The Coast Guard was also deployed immediately after the request, she noted.
“This was the fastest response FEMA has ever mounted in its history,” she said. “We didn’t come in to take control—we let state and local leaders lead, and we provided every resource they needed.”
The July floods devastated central Texas, killing at least 129 people, with more than 160 still missing in Kerr County alone.
Noem praised the state’s leadership and emphasized that FEMA under President Trump is operating differently than it did under President Biden, when the agency was frequently criticized for sluggish responses.
Response to Firing Allegations: “An Absolute Lie”
Noem directly pushed back against Murphy’s claim that FEMA failed to answer calls in the days following the flood due to staffing cuts.
“Nobody was fired. No contracts were cut. Every call was answered,” she said. “For Democrats to spread lies while families are still searching for their babies and loved ones—it’s shameful.”
“It’s not just a disservice to Texans—it’s a disservice to the country,” she added.
Fox News Digital reached out to Sen. Murphy’s office for comment but did not receive an immediate response.
Legal Fight Over ICE Operations in California
Noem was also asked about a recent federal judge’s ruling temporarily halting ICE operations in Southern California. She called the restraining order “ridiculous” and said the administration would appeal.
“Our operations are based on casework. We target individuals who have committed violent crimes, overstayed visas, or violated federal law,” Noem said. “This isn’t random—we follow the law.”
