The White House has firmly denied accusations that the Trump administration’s staffing cuts to the National Weather Service (NWS) contributed to the devastating floods in Texas that have so far claimed at least 110 lives, with more than 170 people still missing.
During a press briefing on Monday, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt described the disaster as “an act of God,” dismissing criticism from Democratic leaders as politically motivated and “a depraved lie.”
“This was an act of God. It is not the administration’s fault that the flood hit when it did,” Leavitt stated. “The NWS did its job by sending early and consistent warnings.”
The catastrophic flooding, which struck areas including Kerr County in central Texas, has been described by officials as a “once-in-a-generation” natural disaster. Rescue operations are ongoing, with emergency services overwhelmed by the scale of destruction and the number of missing persons.
Democratic Senate Leader Chuck Schumer on Monday called for a formal investigation into whether the Trump administration’s reported staffing reductions at key NWS offices hampered emergency preparedness and response.
“Staffing shortages at local NWS stations may have contributed to the catastrophic loss of life and property,” Schumer said, demanding accountability and transparency.
According to reports, more than 500 positions were cut or left vacant within the NWS during the Trump administration, leading to chronic understaffing. The Austin/San Antonio NWS office, which covers heavily impacted areas, reportedly has six out of 27 positions unfilled including a critical manager tasked with issuing flood warnings and coordinating with local agencies.
Despite the administration’s assertions, critics argue that consistent funding and staffing are essential to national safety, especially in the face of increasingly extreme weather patterns linked to climate change.
As the nation mourns the loss of life in Texas, the political blame game continues, with some viewing the disaster as a grim reminder of the consequences of underinvestment in public safety infrastructure. Rescue and recovery efforts remain the immediate priority, even as investigations into preparedness and accountability are likely to intensify in the weeks ahead.
