Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem faced backlash for allegedly delaying rescue efforts following flash floods in central Texas that resulted in 120 fatalities. Federal Emergency Management Agency officials reported a new requirement for Noem's approval on costs exceeding $100,000, which hindered timely response. Despite these charges, Noem dismissed the claims on a media outlet, attributing responsibility to local communities while criticizing FEMA's efficiency. She previously suggested dismantling the agency due to its slow crisis response, citing a concerning incident during Hawaiian wildfires where survivors reportedly resorted to extreme measures for assistance.
Appearing on Fox & Friends early Thursday, Noem chuckled when asked to respond to the allegations. Calling the reporting 'absolutely trash,' she offered a roundabout response, saying, 'Our Coast Guard, our Border Patrol, ... were there immediately. Every single thing they asked for, we were there.' She went on to place the burden of responsibility on 'the local communities,' arguing that 'we shouldn't make the decisions for the states, because every state is different, every town is different.'
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem is in damage-control mode after she was accused of holding up rescue and recovery efforts in central Texas in the wake of devastating flash floods that killed at least 120 people over the Fourth of July weekend.
As part of new cost-cutting measures, they suddenly needed Noem's personal sign-off for any work that would cost the agency over $100,000, a figure one official described as 'pennies' when it comes to disaster response operations.
Leaned into her criticisms of the agency on Wednesday, she claimed the agency had responded so slowly to wildfires in Hawaii in 2023 that survivors had to resort to 'sexual favors' to secure basic supplies.
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