Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has defended the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) response to the recent flooding in Texas, dismissing allegations that hundreds of emergency calls to a disaster hotline went unanswered due to staffing cuts. Noem asserted that these claims are false and that the Trump administration’s goal is to ‘remake’ FEMA, not reduce its budget.
She emphasized the importance of maintaining a robust and responsive federal disaster relief system, particularly after the Texas floods caused widespread destruction. Noem’s comments come as part of a broader congressional inquiry into FEMA’s operations during the disaster, which has sparked debates about the agency’s preparedness and resource allocation. Despite the controversy, she maintained that the administration is focused on improving FEMA’s infrastructure and communication systems to better serve affected communities.
The statement follows reports that FEMA faced significant challenges in its response to the flooding, with some officials and residents criticizing the agency’s ability to coordinate relief efforts. Noem’s defense underscores the political dimension of the issue, as the Trump administration seeks to shift the narrative away from potential budget cuts and toward a vision of modernizing FEMA’s capabilities. This debate highlights the ongoing tensions between fiscal responsibility and disaster preparedness in federal policy.