Homeland Security Secretary Krisi Noem joined Texas Gov. Greg Abbott and other officials for a presser on Saturday afternoon on the tragic and deadly flooding around the Guadalupe River in Texas, during which she stressed the federal government is offering all aid and assistance in the disaster. She also expressed that President Donald Trump is “heartbroken” over the devastation in the state.

Abbott declared a disaster in the state on Friday, and on Saturday he signed an expansion of that disaster declaration, adding additional counties to the list of those affected and emphasizing the state’s need for federal assistance and resources in a joint presser on Saturday afternoon.

Noem delivered remarks during that briefing, and stated that she’s spoken with the president and continuing to keep him up to do date.

“President Trump is absolutely heartbroken by what has happened here in Texas, and the loss of life is absolutely devastating to him and Melania,” Noem said.

“This morning, I talked with him several times,” Noem said. “And he wanted to make sure that all of you know how much he loves Texas, how much he’s grieving for your families that have lost someone and the beautiful children that we’re still looking for and hoping to return to their families.”

She added that the president is “absolutely committed to using all the resources of the federal government” in the disaster recovery and relief.

Trump posted on Truth Social earlier in the day about the disaster, writing that the administration is “working with State and Local Officials on the ground in Texas in response to the tragic flooding” and announcing Noem would be on the ground.

“Melania and I are praying for all of the families impacted by this horrible tragedy,” Trump wrote. “Our Brave First Responders are on site doing what they do best. GOD BLESS THE FAMILIES, AND GOD BLESS TEXAS!”

At the presser, Noem also noted that Trump has already committed to the request made by Abbott in the disaster declaration.

“I’ve visited with the president already about this federal disaster declaration that the governor was going to sign here this morning, and he has indicated that he will honor that and that he’ll accept that,” she said.
So that response and that relief will be coming.”

I want to thank Governor Abbott for his leadership, and know that President Trump is absolutely heartbroken by what has happened here in Texas, and the loss of life is absolutely devastating to him and Melania. This morning, I talked with him several times, and he wanted to make sure that all of you know how much he loves Texas, how much he’s grieving for your families that have lost someone and the beautiful children that we’re still looking for and hoping to return to their families. And that he is absolutely committed to using all the resources of the federal government to help unify families, rescue all those that we’re still missing, and return those who maybe we will recover back to their families as soon as possible. And that we will be here walking alongside each other and helping throughout this entire crisis.

Watch the clip above via CBS Texas.

The post Noem: Trump ‘Absolutely Heartbroken’ Over Texas Flood, ‘Absolutely Committed’ to Using All Federal Resources for Disaster first appeared on Mediaite.

from Mediaite https://ift.tt/dJvi3Ez