Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem praised the Trump administration’s swift response to the deadly July 4th floods in Texas Hill Country, calling it a model for future federal disaster relief. The floods claimed at least 119 lives and left over 150 people missing, including 27 girls from Camp Mystic.

Noem emphasized the rapid deployment of resources, including Coast Guard, Customs and Border Protection aircraft, and elite BORTAC rescue teams. Federal aid was approved within hours, and Texas received pre-deployed emergency funds—a first for FEMA.

Noem contrasted this with delays under the Biden administration in past crises like the 2023 East Palestine train derailment, Maui wildfires, and Hurricane Helene, calling those responses “failures.”

She said President Trump envisions a FEMA overhaul—or even replacement—favoring a state-led, federally supported model. “FEMA will cease to exist the way that it is today,” Noem stated, promising faster, more efficient aid delivery that empowers local emergency teams.

Trump has previously criticized FEMA as ineffective and signaled intentions to rename or reform it significantly in a second term.