The horrifying scenes unfolding in Kerrville, Texas, demand our prayers, our compassion, and our immediate attention. At least 78 souls have tragically lost their lives in devastating flash floods, with 68 confirmed dead in Kerrville alone. Among the victims are 28 innocent children, caught unsuspecting in nature’s sudden fury. As rescue teams scour the mud-covered banks of the Guadalupe River, the number of missing remains alarmingly high, making this event one of the worst weather-related disasters the Lone Star State has faced in recent memory.
First and foremost, our hearts go out to the families grieving tonight. The loss of life at Camp Mystic, a cherished Christian summer retreat for young girls, is particularly heartbreaking. Two dozen youngsters initially went missing when the predawn downpour transformed a peaceful river into a deadly rush of water, and authorities are still desperately searching for survivors. Kerr County Sheriff Larry Leitha acknowledged that 10 girls and one counselor remain missing, a grim reminder of how quickly tragedy can strike.
Yet, even as we mourn these innocent lives, we must also ask tough questions about preparedness, responsibility, and accountability. Governor Greg Abbott and local officials are rightly calling for a thorough investigation into forecasting and emergency response systems. The question looming over this tragedy is clear: Did inadequate warnings cost lives? State emergency officials had indeed warned of heavy showers before the July Fourth weekend, but the storm dumped twice the expected rainfall, catching entire communities off guard and turning the Guadalupe into a raging torrent in mere minutes.
This disaster highlights the urgent need to reassess our national priorities. For years, our federal government has spent billions overseas, neglecting critical investments right here at home. President Trump has long advocated an America First approach, emphasizing infrastructure upgrades, community safety, and preparedness. This tragedy is precisely the kind of event we must guard against, ensuring our forecasting capabilities and disaster responses are unmatched globally. A nation that can send billions abroad should never fall short when protecting its own citizens.
Despite actions already underway, some critics are shamefully attempting to politicize this disaster, accusing President Trump of hampering the response through cuts to the National Weather Service. These baseless attacks ignore the reality that federal resources have been swiftly mobilized, with FEMA activated and Coast Guard assets deployed immediately after Trump’s disaster declaration. “That water situation, that all is, and that was really the Biden setup,” Trump rightly pointed out, highlighting the lingering bureaucratic inertia from the former administration. Indeed, Biden’s mismanagement and bloated bureaucracy left many federal agencies inefficient and unresponsive, a reality conservatives have long criticized.
However, President Trump wisely refrained from assigning personal blame to Biden, calling this event a “100-year catastrophe.” Natural disasters of such magnitude transcend partisan bickering. Yet, the larger point remains: years of misaligned priorities, underinvestment in American communities, and bureaucratic neglect have left our nation more vulnerable than it should ever be. Trump’s America First agenda is precisely what we need to rebuild our communities and ensure every American town is prepared and resilient in the face of nature’s unpredictability.
As Texans face the difficult days ahead, we must unite in support of the courageous first responders working tirelessly in dangerous conditions. Freeman Martin, Director of the Texas Department of Public Safety, described the grim challenges confronting search teams: “It’s hot, there’s mud, they’re moving debris, there’s snakes.” Their bravery and dedication must be honored, and they deserve our full backing.
Let this tragedy serve as a sobering reminder that America must prioritize its own people, infrastructure, and preparedness above all else. The floods in Kerrville are a heartbreaking wake-up call that we cannot afford to ignore. The Trump administration’s swift response today underscores the importance of leadership committed to protecting American lives first and foremost. Our thoughts and prayers are with all those suffering tonight, and our resolve must remain steadfast: America first, always.