Trump visits Texas amid FEMA scrutiny

🍁 Plus: Trump slaps hefty tariff on Canada

12:30 REPORT 12:30 REPORT Friday, July 11 | By Cate Martel Today in DC: ⛅ 86°  Sign up It's Friday! So, how do we feel about this weird yogurt and strawberry pasta dish that tennis star Iga Świątek wants us all to try? If you have no idea what I'm talking about (which, FAIR), keep reading for an explainer. In today's issue: Trump visits Texas, defending flood response Proposed FEMA cuts in question Paxton news takes over internet Canada hit with new tariff threat ⛑️️ IN TEXAS This will be a heavy day: AP President Trump and first lady Melania Trump will land in Texas to meet with grieving families, first responders and local officials in the aftermath of the catastrophic Fourth of July flash flooding that left at least 120 people dead. What's on the agenda?: Trump will survey the damage and then participate in a roundtable with state and local officials. 💻 Livestream of the 2:10 p.m. roundtable 💬 Follow today's live blog Trump's past FEMA comments are under close scrutiny: Trump and his Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem have said for months that Trump wishes to eliminate the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The Trump administration must be delicate in how it handles those comments, given FEMA's role in the Texas disaster relief. Noem still stands by her calls to axe the agency, but also says it should be recreated. However, The Washington Post reports there are no firm plans within the White House to abolish the agency, and there will probably simply be a "rebranding" to elevate state leaders' involvement. A White House official told NewsNation that a FEMA review council plans to "reform" the agency. Keep your eyes and ears peeled for any mention of FEMA during Trump's visit. The dynamics: Texas is a deep-red state with a lot of friendly faces for the president. He will be joined by the state's governor, Greg Abbott (R), Sens. John Cornyn (R) and Ted Cruz (R) and Rep. Pete Sessions (R). Abbott in particular has praised the administration this week for its response to the disaster. But critics have their antennas up for potential politicalization that could come. Read Alex Gangitano's reporting in The Hill: 'Trump to survey floods as he flaunts ties to deep-red Texas' The big, open question — did Trump's disaster and weather cuts contribute to the catastrophe?: There has been reporting that FEMA's response in Texas was delayed due to a new rule that Noem must sign off on any contract or grant that exceeds $100,000. CNN reports Noem didn't authorize Urban Search and Rescue teams' deployment until Monday, more than 72 hours after the flash flood.  Trump defended his administration's response Thursday in a phone call with NBC News's Kristen Welker, arguing, "We were on time." He also mentioned Noem was "literally the first person I saw on television" after the disaster. How Trump described the storm to Welker: Trump said, "nobody ever saw a thing like this coming," arguing the flood was "a once-in-every-200-year deal." Coming later: For a recap of the president's Texas visit, sign-up for The Hill's Evening Report newsletter. Click here to sign up & get it in your inbox. ➤ WHERE THINGS STAND IN TEXAS: The recovery efforts are in their eighth day. At least 120 people have been confirmed dead, including 36 children, and more than 170 people are still missing. Related read, via CNN: 'How searchers are agonizingly scouring for Texas flood victims, including children – and absorbing an emotional toll' ➤ MORE REPORTING ON THE LACK OF A FLOOD WARNING SYSTEM: This is chillingly prescient — a recent report predicted a flood: The New York Times reports that last October, local officials in Kerr County concluded in a report that "it is likely" the county "will experience a flood event in the next year." A $1 million alert system could be installed, and there are FEMA grants that could pay for it. But it never happened. The Times also identified at least three times since 2017 that local officials sought funding for a flood warning system but did not receive it. Read the NYT reporting: 'Before Tragedy, Texas Repeatedly Rejected Pleas for Flood Alarm Funding' 📧 Stay up to date with top stories from The Hill in our weekend Tipsheet, sent Saturdays & Sundays. Click here to sign up & get it in your inbox. 📦️ THE TRADE WAR *Avoids eye contact with our northern neighbors*: President Trump announced late Thursday that he is slapping a 35 percent tariff Canadian goods, starting Aug. 1. Why?: "The president argued Canada had not done enough to curb the flow of fentanyl into the United States, even though relatively little fentanyl crosses the northern border each year compared with the southern border." For context: "The U.S. had previously imposed a 25 percent tariff on Canadian goods, though Trump later exempted products covered under the 2020 trade agreement struck between the U.S., Canada and Mexico. It's unclear whether those exemptions will still apply as of Aug. 1." Read more on the new Canada tariffs The stock market dipped this morning following the news. 📕️ OTHER NEWS Why you may be seeing lots of 'on biblical grounds' references: Texas state Sen. Angela Paxton (R) filed for divorce from state Attorney General Ken Paxton (R) on Thursday. Angela Paxton posted a statement on X, explaining she "filed for divorce on biblical grounds … in light of recent discoveries." 🔎 Read more on her explanation Ken Paxton also posted his own statement: "After facing the pressures of countless political attacks and public scrutiny, Angela and I have decided to start a new chapter in our lives," he wrote. 🔎 Read his post Keep in mind: Ken Paxton is challenging Texas Sen. John Cornyn (R) for his seat in a high-profile primary race. The Senate GOP's campaign arm took a swing at Ken Paxton after Thursday's divorce announcement. "What Ken Paxton has put his family through is truly repulsive and disgusting," National Republican Senatorial Committee spokesperson Joanna Rodriguez said. ^ Speaking of Ken Paxton's race: His Senate campaign said today that it raised nearly $3 million in the second quarter of 2025. COMING UP The House and Senate are out. President Trump is in Texas this afternoon. (All times EST) 2:10 p.m.: Trump participates in a roundtable in Kerrville, Texas. 💻 Livestream 3:15 p.m.: Trump leaves for Bedminster, N.J. Sunday: Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear (D) will appear on NBC's "Meet the Press." Just announced — July 16: Vice President Vance will travel to Pennsylvania to tout the "big, beautiful" law. 🐝 INTERNET BUZZ 🍟 Celebrate: Today is National French Fry Day! Here's a list of fry deals today to celebrate!   🍝 The gasp I gusped: Polish tennis Iga Świątek shared her favorite post-match snack: pasta with yogurt and strawberries. The Wimbledon crowd has found this quite strange. 📹 Watch the clip Now, this combo is the talk of the tennis world. If you want to try it, here's a recipe.   🥗 What is all over my TikTok: A woman brought an antipasto salad to a Fourth of July party in her new neighborhood but was rejected when she arrived. The video blew up and has become quite the drama between the woman and the party hosts. Forbes published an explainer 👋 AND FINALLY… Because I fully enjoyed watching this ~tutorial~, here's a good reminder of what to do with your leftovers.  Stay Engaged  📺 Miss yesterday's newsletter? Catch up with a 1-minute video. I love hearing from you — send your feedback, tips and favorite cookie recipes 🍪 to cmartel@thehill.com. Check out more newsletters here. See you next time! Privacy Policy  |  Manage Subscriptions  |  Unsubscribe |  View Online  | Sign Up for Other Newsletters 400 N Capitol Street NW Suite 650, Washington, DC 20001 © 1998 - 2025 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved.