In a shocking statement, Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC) has called for the prosecution of Trump administration officials, blaming them for the devastating Texas floods that claimed over 100 lives, including at least 27 children at Camp Mystic. The floods, which ravaged Central Texas over the Fourth of July weekend in 2025, have ignited a fierce political debate, with AOC labeling the disaster a “Trump tragedy” due to alleged federal mismanagement. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt responded with fiery indignation, dismissing the accusations as a “depraved lie” and redirecting blame toward local officials and Democrats.
AOC’s remarks, posted on X, pointed to staffing cuts at the National Weather Service (NWS) under Trump’s administration, claiming these reductions led to inadequate forecasting and delayed warnings that could have saved lives. “The blood of these children is on the hands of those who gutted our disaster preparedness,” she wrote, urging legal action against officials responsible for the cuts. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer echoed her concerns, demanding an investigation into NWS vacancies in San Angelo and San Antonio, where key meteorologist and hydrologist positions were reportedly unfilled.
Leavitt, in a heated White House briefing on July 7, 2025, fiercely defended the administration, insisting the NWS had extra staff on duty and issued timely warnings, including a flood watch 12 hours in advance and flash flood alerts with up to three-hour lead times. “Blaming President Trump for an act of God is despicable,” she said, accusing Democrats like Schumer and AOC of politicizing a national tragedy. She emphasized that the NWS “did its job” despite unprecedented rainfall, and pointed to local failures, such as Kerr County’s lack of a modern flood warning system, as a critical factor.
The floods, driven by a slow-moving storm dumping several inches of rain in hours, overwhelmed the Guadalupe River, catching many residents off guard. At Camp Mystic, a Christian summer camp, 11 girls and a counselor remain missing, with 27 confirmed deaths. Local officials have criticized the NWS for underestimating rainfall in Texas’ “Flash Flood Alley,” while victims’ families expressed fury over delayed alerts, many of which were issued while people slept. A failed river gauge and reliance on word-of-mouth alerts in Kerr County further compounded the chaos.
Climate experts, however, argue the NWS performed adequately given the extreme event, with some noting that forecasting such localized rainfall is inherently challenging. BBC Verify found no direct evidence linking NWS cuts to the tragedy, though coordination with local emergency services may have been hampered. Meanwhile, Trump, who visited Texas on July 11, praised FEMA’s response but dodged questions about his administration’s plans to defund the agency, raising further scrutiny.
As rescue efforts continue, with over 850 lives saved by first responders, the debate rages on. AOC’s call for prosecution has galvanized her base but drawn sharp rebuke from Republicans, who argue it exploits a tragedy for political gain. With the death toll climbing and questions unanswered, the Texas floods have become a flashpoint in an already polarized nation.
