Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem received plenty of backlash Monday after appearing on Fox News to express her shock at the floods that killed more than 90 people in central Texas over the weekend.
During an appearance on Monday's episode of "Fox & Friends," Noem said she "can't wrap my head around" how the flooding became so deadly when flash flood alerts went out about "several hours" ahead of time.
Noem's comments sparked intense backlash from several social media users. Many described Noem's comments as tone-deaf, while others pointed out the apparent hypocrisy behind the statements.
"Spare us the shocked routine. The alerts weren’t enough, the response was too slow, and leadership failed—again. People are dead, kids are missing, and she’s up there acting like it was all just a surprise. No, Kristi. It was negligence. Own it," Charles Perreria posted on X, formerly Twitter.
"You can't make this up. While Texas faces the impacts of deadly flooding, DHS Sec. Kristi Noem spent last night posting portraits of herself on Instagram and asking followers to weigh in on which one was the best," Hannah Muldavin, deputy communications director for the Democratic National Committee, posted on X.
Muldavin was referring to a post on Noem's personal Instagram account where she asked her followers to help her choose a portrait of herself as governor to hang in the South Dakota legislature.
"Cosplaying Queen can’t really wrap her head around it. How unshocking is that," another user posted on X.
“Rest easy knowing Our Secretary of Homeland Security is unable to grasp how a several hours advance warning of a deadly flood could have prevented tragedy," another post on X reads.