In a recent press briefing, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt condemned the politicization of the tragic Texas flood disaster, where Democrats, including Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, have attempted to lay blame on President Donald Trump for the fatalities resulting from the catastrophe.
Leavitt firmly rejected these allegations, stating that such claims were not only false but also served no purpose during a time of national mourning.
According to the Western Journal, Leavitt stated, "Unfortunately, in the wake of this once-in-a-generation natural disaster, we have seen many falsehoods pushed by Democrats such as Senator Chuck Schumer and some members of the media." She went on to add, "Blaming President Trump for these floods is a depraved lie, and it serves no purpose during this time of national mourning."
Leavitt further emphasized that the National Weather Service had fulfilled its duties in the face of the impending crisis. "In the lead-up to this tragic national disaster, the National Weather Service did its job. Despite unprecedented rainfall, the National Weather Service executed timely and precise forecasts and warnings," she said. These warnings, she noted, began as early as July 3, well before the Guadalupe River flooding that resulted in numerous fatalities.
The press secretary expressed her disdain for those who have chosen to manipulate the facts surrounding this catastrophic event for political gain. "So, to any person who has deliberately lied about these facts surrounding this catastrophic event, you should be deeply ashamed," she said.
Leavitt also took the opportunity to extend her condolences to the victims of the disaster, stating, "May God bless the great people of Texas especially the parents who have lost their children. President Trump loves you. We are praying for you, and he will be traveling to see you later this week."
As reported by The Hill, Leavitt criticized the attempts by many Democratic elected officials to exploit the tragedy for political points, describing such actions as "depraved and despicable." She reiterated, "This was an act of God, it is not the administrations fault that the flood hit when it did but there were early and consistent warnings. And again, the National Weather Service did its job."
The National Weather Service also responded to the criticism, stating in a press release, "The National Weather Service is heartbroken by the tragic loss of life in Kerr County. On July 3, the NWS office in Austin/San Antonio, TX conducted forecast briefings for emergency management in the morning and issued a Flood Watch in the early afternoon." The agency further noted that it had issued Flash Flood Warnings on the night of July 3 and in the early morning of July 4, providing more than three hours of preliminary lead time before the warning criteria were met.
Republican Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas also weighed in on the issue, expressing his disapproval of the blame game being played out in front of the media. "I think this is not a time for partisan finger-pointing and attacks," Cruz said. He added that while retrospection is a natural process following a tragedy, it should be conducted in a reasonable manner, focusing on learning lessons rather than engaging in bitter and partisan attacks.
The politicization of natural disasters is not only unhelpful but also detracts from the real issues at hand. As the nation mourns the loss of lives in Texas, it is crucial to focus on providing support to the affected communities and learning from the incident to prevent future tragedies. The blame game serves no purpose other than to deepen divisions and distract from the task of rebuilding and healing.
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