Noem said the rapid delivery of funds to Texas resembled the “state block grants” model Trump has promoted. It’s an idea that would replace FEMA’s current system of reimbursing states for response and recovery expenses at a cost-share of at least 75%.

In the five months since Trump chose Neil Jacobs as NOAA administrator, hundreds of NOAA scientists and meteorologists have left the agency through a combination of firings, buyouts and retirements.

Devastating floods in central Texas have resulted in a tragic loss of life, prompting scrutiny of the nation's emergency response. Despite earlier proposals to reduce FEMA's role, the Trump administration is now emphasizing the agency's swift assistance to Texas,