Leavitt Takes Questions About NWS
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt on Monday refuted claims that staffing shortages at the National Weather Service (NWS) in Texas contributed to delayed flood warnings during last week’s deadly flash flooding. The clarification came after several media outlets blamed President Donald Trump’s administration for allegedly reducing NWS staffing through cuts initiated by the Department Of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
The reports suggested that actions taken under Trump’s 2020 federal restructuring initiative — particularly under DOGE leadership — left critical NWS offices in Texas undermanned. However, Leavitt presented specific staffing data to challenge those assertions.
.@PressSec dispels the fake news around National Weather Service staffing in the wake of the weekend’s devastating Texas flooding: “The San Angelo office was fully staffed with 12 forecast meteorologists … The San Antonio office was operating with 11 forecasters.” pic.twitter.com/sk5rPG1Tv1
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) July 7, 2025
Speaking during a press briefing, Leavitt stated that the San Angelo NWS office had 12 forecast meteorologists and no vacancies, while the San Antonio office operated with 11 forecasters.
She added that the NWS union confirmed the staffing was adequate and that no shortage affected operations. “These offices were fully staffed. The union themselves said that there was adequate staffing, so I think those words speak for themselves,” she said.
Leavitt also addressed broader concerns that have surfaced following the natural disaster, which has been described as a “once-in-a-century” flash flood event. She emphasized that the White House is focused on deploying resources and personnel to assist impacted communities across central Texas. “This was a tragic natural disaster, and the administration is doing all that we can on the ground to help these families during this time of need,” she stated.
President Trump, addressing reporters on Sunday, said he intends to visit Texas but will do so only when emergency officials confirm that his presence will not interfere with recovery operations.
No further comments were issued regarding DOGE or former adviser Elon Musk’s involvement, though Leavitt’s remarks were clearly aimed at discrediting the narrative that Trump-era budget cuts left the NWS unable to perform its duties.
The National Weather Service has not issued any formal statement confirming or denying the allegations raised by the media.