Kristi Noem Tried To Defend Her Texas Flood Response And It Was A Disaster

Kristi Noem claimed that FEMA officials were lying when they said that she delayed the Texas flood response, and Noem claimed that stories of unanswered victim calls to FEMA are fake news.

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Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has been at the center of blame for poor federal response to the deadly flash flood in Texas that has now killed over 120 people. Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR) said that Noem’s incompetence got kids killed in the flood.

If the Trump administration responded correctly to the flood, Noem should have been able to easily point to the federal success stories and things that were done at the time of the tragedy.

However, that is not what happened when Noem was interviewed on Meet The Press.

Video:

NBC’s Kristen Welker asked Noem questions about the federal response based on media reports and comments from FEMA officials, and Noem’s answers got defensive quickly.

Here is a transcript of a key exchange:

KRISTEN WELKER:

When did you get the request for these search and rescue teams --

SEC. KRISTI NOEM:

Immediately.

KRISTEN WELKER:

– and other resources?

SEC. KRISTI NOEM:

They were immediately responded.

KRISTEN WELKER:

Immediate. What day though --

SEC. KRISTI NOEM:

Yes, and everyone will tell you --

KRISTEN WELKER:

Because according to reports --

SEC. KRISTI NOEM:

Nim Kidd and the governor will say --

KRISTEN WELKER:

– they didn't arrive until Tuesday.