Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem defended the federal response to the devastating floods in Texas during an appearance Sunday on NBC’s Meet the Press. Responding to criticism over delayed federal aid, Noem pushed back, calling it “unfortunate” that critics were “playing politics” in the aftermath of the disaster.
Noem stated that resources from the Department of Homeland Security were dispatched within hours of the flooding. She highlighted the rapid deployment of the Coast Guard, which conducted multiple rescues, along with assistance from FEMA and Border Patrol. According to Noem, every federal agency acted decisively to support Texas communities in crisis.
When pressed on reports that federal search and rescue teams did not arrive until Tuesday, Noem maintained that local and state officials confirmed help was provided as soon as it was requested. She emphasized that the response was coordinated and swift, with no delays in federal support once formal requests were made.
Noem credited local leaders, including the Texas governor and county-level emergency officials, for working seamlessly with federal teams. She described the situation as a unified effort and said the response was more robust than previous disaster scenarios.
The secretary underscored that every major federal agency contributed to the rescue efforts. She reiterated that the goal was saving lives—not scoring political points—and urged critics to stop politicizing natural disasters. Noem concluded by emphasizing that the administration will continue standing with Texas as recovery efforts progress.
Noem emphasized that the Coast Guard, Border Patrol, and FEMA were on the ground quickly, working around the clock to aid in rescue and recovery. She warned that turning a natural disaster into a political weapon disrespects the victims and distracts from life-saving efforts.
