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Trump administration's Texas flood disaster response 'fundamentally different' from Biden's approach: Noem

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Trump administration's Texas flood disaster response 'fundamentally different' from Biden's approach: Noem

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Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said Saturday that the federal response to the deadly floods in Texas Hill Country last weekend was a good indication of the improved disaster response the Trump administration is committed to providing.

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Devastating floods on the Fourth of July claimed at least 119 lives, and more than 150 others are missing. Among those killed were 27 girls attending Camp Mystic along the Guadalupe River in Hunt, Texas.

“What you saw from our response in Texas is going to be a lot of how President [Donald] Trump envisions what [the Federal Emergency Management Agency] (FEMA) would look like in the future,” Noem said during a news conference Saturday. 

“We did things in Texas, in response, very different than Joe Biden.”

DHS Secretary Kristi Noem and Gov. Greg Abbott discuss ongoing efforts with recent flooding along the Guadalupe River during a news conference in Ingram, Texas, July 5. (AP Photo/Rodolfo Gonzalez)

PRESIDENT TRUMP, FIRST LADY HEAD TO VISIT KERRVILLE, TEXAS FOLLOWING FATAL FLOODS

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In response to the 2023 Ohio train derailment in East Palestine, the Biden administration said the chemical disaster did not meet legal requirements for a FEMA disaster declaration, waiting two weeks to deploy a team to assist.

In the 2023 Maui fires, more than 100 people were killed, and historic Lahaina was reduced to rubble. Survivors were left without food, water and shelter.

At the time, FEMA Administrator Michael Brown called President Joe Biden’s response to the deadly fires “an abject failure.”

Displaced residents Caroline Anthony and Lori Brodeur pause while searching for personal items in the rubble of a wildfire that destroyed their home Oct. 5, 2023, in Lahaina, Hawaii. (Mario Tama/Getty Images)

Slow responses and inadequate aid were also widely reported after Hurricane Helene struck North Carolina, Georgia and South Carolina in late 2024. 

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“I’ll also be signing an executive order to begin the process of fundamentally reforming and overhauling FEMA or maybe getting rid of FEMA,” Trump said in January while visiting North Carolina. “I think, frankly, FEMA is not good.”

DEADLY TEXAS FLOOD EXPOSES ‘NEGLECTED’ WEATHER ALERT SYSTEM TRUMP AIMS TO MODERNIZE

Search and rescue teams work in Kerrville, Texas, July 9. (Derek Shook for Fox News Digital)

Noem noted that, during the most recent disaster, federal assistance was on the ground in Texas as soon as the flooding hit.

“We deployed our Coast Guard, helicopters, [aircraft] and swift water rescue teams out of Customs and Border Protection,” she said. “Our [Border Patrol Tactical Unit] (BORTAC) teams, which I like to call the Department of Homeland Security’s ninjas, are specifically trained for situations like that, where the unprecedented is happening.”

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After the floods, Noem said she immediately met with Texas Gov. Greg Abbott and spoke with him about getting a major disaster declaration signed.

Within an hour or two of the request, she said, it was approved by the White House.

President Donald Trump, first lady Melania Trump and Texas Gov. Greg Abbott meet with local emergency services personnel as they survey flood damage along the Guadalupe River Friday in Kerrville, Texas. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

“We pre-deployed dollars right to Texas so that they can make the best decisions responding to their people,” Noem said. “FEMA has never done that before — pre-deployed dollars to a state so that they could use that to save their people, so they could use that to go out and save lives.”

Noem said the president wants the states to be empowered during emergencies.

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GOV. ABBOTT DEMANDS COMPREHENSIVE OVERHAUL OF TEXAS FLOOD WARNING SYSTEMS AS DEATH TOLL RISES

“Emergencies are locally executed,” she said. “They are state-managed and then the federal government comes in and supports you. [No one] ever wants to sit back and wait for someone from the federal government to show up and rescue you out of your house because that, in the past, has not served people well under the Biden administration.

Under President Trump, Noem said, federal officials were there immediately to help local and state officials manage the response.

Multiple Texas flood victims have been confirmed dead by families, including some of the girls who went missing from Camp Mystic when the Guadalupe River flooded July 4. (Fox News)

She added her belief that FEMA “will cease to exist the way that it is today.”

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“We are fundamentally reforming that agency,” Noem said. “President Trump may want to, in his prerogative, as he likes to do, rename things. He may come up with a new name for this agency that reflects the fundamental change that’s going to happen there. But this agency will no longer be the bureaucratic agency where people have to wait 20 years for their claim to be paid. 

“It will be an agency that immediately says to that state, and to that local emergency management director, ‘What do you need? How can we support you?’ And then trains them to have the skill set that they need to be serving their people immediately, because they’re always there faster. They’re right there on the streets.”

It is unclear what the new agency name might be.

President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump listen during a roundtable discussion with first responders and local officials at the Hill Country Youth Event Center in Kerrville, Texas, after observing flood damage Friday. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

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When asked about reports of calls to FEMA from Texas residents going unanswered, Noem said she was “throwing the bull—- flag,” claiming she did not think that was true.

“I will get rid of any contract that doesn’t respond to people because they know they are empowered to do it,” she said.

FEMA did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.

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Arizona judge resigns after being caught allegedly urinating on street near courthouse: ‘This is disgusting’

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Arizona judge resigns after being caught allegedly urinating on street near courthouse: ‘This is disgusting’

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An Arizona Superior Court judge has resigned after allegedly being caught urinating in public just steps from the courthouse where she served.

Prescott police responded around 1:30 a.m. on Oct. 4 after witnesses reported a woman relieving herself near Montezuma and Gurley Street, on the same block as the Courthouse Plaza where she worked, FOX 10 first reported.

Bodycam video obtained by Fox News Digital appears to show Yavapai County Superior Court Judge Pro Tempore Kristyne Schaaf-Olson pulling up her pants before quickly sitting on a bench.

“This is disgusting,” the responding officer says as he approaches Schaaf-Olson.

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TEXAS SHERIFF ARRESTED BY HIS OWN DEPUTIES, NOW FACES NEW CHARGE FOR LYING TO GRAND JURY

An Arizona Superior Court judge has resigned after allegedly being caught urinating in public just steps from the courthouse where she served. (Prescott Police Department)

The video shows Schaaf-Olson struggling to spell her own name as the officer attempts to identify her.

Moments later, Schaaf-Olson’s husband, Jason Olson, who serves as the parks and recreation manager for the Town of Chino Valley, according to FOX 10, approaches the scene and tries to pull his wife away from the officers – repeatedly refusing orders to step back.

When asked why she was being questioned, the officer replied, “Because I just saw her puking and urinating, exposing herself to several people.”

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“Nope. That wasn’t her,” Jason Olson insists.

FEDERAL JUDGE DISQUALIFIES ACTING NEVADA US ATTORNEY FROM HANDLING CASES

Schaaf-Olson’s husband, Jason Olson, approaches the scene and tries to pull his wife away from the officers. (Prescott Police Department)

As Jason Olson continues to resist police commands, the officer throws him to the ground.

“Get your a– on the f—ing ground, dude,” the officer says.

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“I’m not doing anything!” Jason Olson says.

“515, we’re fighting,” the officer can be heard saying as several other officers work to restrain and handcuff Jason Olson.

Schaaf-Olson was cited for urinating or defecating in public – a misdemeanor offense.

FEDERAL JUDGE RELEASES WOMAN ACCUSED OF THREATENING TO KILL TRUMP

Schaaf-Olson was cited for urinating or defecating in public – a misdemeanor offense. (Prescott Police Department)

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The video shows her identifying herself as a judge, saying, “That’s fine. I want to let you know, my name is Judge Kristyne Olson.”

Schaaf-Olson is also seen struggling to sign the citation.

“Nope, right here on the screen. On the screen,” an officer says.

Jason Olson was cited for resisting arrest, interfering with a crime scene investigation and obstruction of government operations, according to FOX 10.

Days later, Yavapai County Superior Court confirmed Schaaf-Olson had submitted her resignation, effective Oct. 31.

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Yavapai County Superior Court confirmed Schaaf-Olson had submitted her resignation, effective Oct. 31. (Yavapai County Courts)

“My resignation comes after careful consideration of current physical, medical and family circumstances,” Schaaf-Olson said in an Oct. 6 statement. 

She added, “The Yavapai community deserves and has judges who are steadfast in their commitment to serving Yavapai County, considering current events in my life, I believe it would be difficult to honor this commitment. I have therefore decided to resign.”

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Schaaf-Olson’s pre-trial conference is scheduled for Dec. 16, while Olson’s is on Nov. 18, according to FOX 10.

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The Prescott Police Department did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.

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New Mexico man allegedly kills mother, stores dismembered remains in home freezer for weeks: Report

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New Mexico man allegedly kills mother, stores dismembered remains in home freezer for weeks: Report

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An Albuquerque, N.M., man has been arrested on charges of allegedly killing and dismembering his mother before placing her remains in a freezer, according to reports.

Court records show 49-year-old Leroy Vallejos was booked into the Bernalillo County Metropolitan Detention Center on Wednesday. He is charged with first-degree murder, battery, battery of a household member and tampering with evidence, and is being held under preventative detention.

The Albuquerque Police Department alleged that Vallejos admitted to an officer that he choked his 69-year-old mother, Ernestina Lucero, to death nearly three weeks ago, KRQE in Albuquerque reported.

Police said Vallejos claimed his mother was part of a “group of people giving their lives to darkness” who were conspiring against him.

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ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS ARRESTED AFTER WOMAN FOUND SHOT TO DEATH IN TEXAS WOODS, 1 WANTED BY MEXICAN FEDS: POLICE

Leroy Vallejos, 49, was booked into the Bernalillo County Metropolitan Detention Center on Oct. 29, 2025, after being charged with killing and dismembering his 69-year-old mother, according to court records. (Bernalillo County Metropolitan Detention Center)

Police reportedly conducted a welfare check at Lucero’s home last Tuesday after Vallejos told a healthcare company his mother had been missing for about a week. He allegedly called the company to request payment for her care despite not having seen her.

During the welfare check, Vallejos let officers inside and told them his mother had gone to Mexico. But as they looked around, officers reportedly found Lucero’s prescriptions still in her bedroom.

TEXAS COUPLE ARRESTED AFTER BODY OF SPECIAL NEEDS SON, 26, DISCOVERED BURIED IN BACKYARD

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A general overall aerial view of the downtown Albuquerque skyline on Feb. 16, 2024 in Albuquerque, N.M. (Kirby Lee/Getty Images)

One officer allegedly found garbage bags inside a large freezer that were later determined to contain the remains of a female, the station reported.

The discovery led to another search of the home, where officers found a saw with what appeared to be dried blood stains under a sink.

BURNING MAN HOMICIDE ROCKS FESTIVAL AS POLICE ASK FOR PUBLIC’S HELP AFTER MAN FOUND IN ‘POOL OF BLOOD’

Leroy Vallejos, 49, was booked into the Bernalillo County Metropolitan Detention Center on Oct. 29, 2025, after being charged with killing and dismembering his 69-year-old mother, according to court records.  (iStock)

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Before the welfare check, another family member reportedly told police Lucero was missing, prompting the department to issue a missing person bulletin on Oct. 23 and launch an investigation.

A preliminary investigation found that Vallejos allegedly withdrew money from his mother’s account, and her vehicle was reportedly sold before she was reported missing.

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The Albuquerque Police Department did not respond to Fox News Digital’s request for additional information on the matter.

The investigation remains ongoing.

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Newly released video shows cops cuffing teen linked to violent sex assault scandal that has families fuming

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Newly released video shows cops cuffing teen linked to violent sex assault scandal that has families fuming

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A newly released body-camera video shows the arrest of a teen accused of violent sex assaults in a case now drawing backlash after he received no jail time under Oklahoma’s youthful-offender law.

The teen, Jesse Butler, was 17 when he was arrested. He later pleaded no contest to multiple felony counts, including attempted first-degree rape, sexual battery and assault by strangulation. 

His 78-year sentence was fully suspended under the youthful-offender statute, allowing him to remain free if he meets court-ordered rehabilitation terms. Victims’ families have publicly criticized the outcome. A mother of one of the victims told KOCO the justice system “failed” her daughter.

“As a mom, I never thought I’d have to watch my daughter fight this kind of battle, one where she had to prove she was the victim, over and over again, while the system made excuse after excuse for the person who hurt her.”

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FAMILIES OUTRAGED AFTER HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT IN VIOLENT SEX ASSAULT CASES AVOIDS PRISON AS YOUTHFUL OFFENDER

Officers move in to arrest 17-year-old Jesse Butler as his mother looks on. (Stillwater Police Department)

The newly released video shows Butler’s seemingly calm arrest at a home in Stillwater. His mother was seen walking to the front door, telling officers, “We’re ready to tell our story too,” before knocking and calling out to her son to open the door.

In the video, officers informed Butler that there was a warrant for his arrest and that he would be taken to the Stillwater Police Department for processing.

Butler, who appeared to be holding back tears, listened quietly as officers explained the purpose of their visit.

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“Yeah, so we’re here, we’re obviously going to place you under arrest, there’s a warrant for your arrest… we are going to take you to the jail… I do have to put you in handcuffs, so turn around for me,” one officer said. 

“You have to put him in handcuffs?” Butler’s mother asked. 

The officer continued and told the teen, “You shouldn’t be there very long,” adding, “There is just a process for paperwork and stuff.”

Butler’s mother could be heard throughout the clip reassuring her son and mentioning family members and contacts already involved in his case.

ATTEMPTED MURDER SUSPECT WITH FOUR PRIOR CASES WALKS FREE ON $9.5K BOND AFTER BRUTAL TRAIL ATTACK

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Police body camera video shows officers placing Jesse Butler in handcuffs during his arrest. Butler, a high school student in a violent sexual assault case, was later sentenced as a youthful offender — avoiding prison time. (Stillwater Police Department)

“I’ll get you out,” she says. “All right, stay silent. Rick knows about this, Candy’s on this, Dad’s on his way. We’re coming to get you, OK? Stay strong. Say your prayers.”

Jesse Butler’s father, Mack Butler, is the former director of football operations at Oklahoma State University, located in Stillwater.

The exchange remained calm throughout. Officers did not raise their voices, and Butler appeared cooperative as he was handcuffed and escorted out. One officer clarified that Butler was being taken to the Stillwater Police Department, not the county jail, to avoid confusion about his location.

“Awful experience for a child,” Butler’s mom said as officers walked him to the police car. “Later, Jess, see you in a bit.” 

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EX-OFFICER SENTENCED FOLLOWING ARREST FOR GROPING ONLYFANS STAR IN VIDEO WHILE ON DUTY

Body cam video captures the moment Jesse Butler is cuffed by police while his mother watches nearby. (Stillwater Police Department)

The Stillwater Police Department said officers were first notified Sept. 12, 2024, of incidents that reportedly took place earlier that year.

“A full investigation was initiated the following day that resulted in SPD submitting the case to the Payne County District Attorney’s Office, where it was reviewed and charges were filed,” the department said in a statement.

At the time, Butler was a student in Stillwater Public Schools. Court records obtained by KOCO include several emotional victim impact statements describing lasting fear and trauma.

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“You didn’t just strangle me with your hands — you strangled my voice, my joy, my ability to feel safe in my own body,” one victim wrote.

VICTIM’S GIRLFRIEND AMONG 9 TEENS ARRESTED IN 16-YEAR-OLD’S BEACH TOWN MURDER

Jesse Butler pictured in a baseball uniform before the criminal allegations came to light. (Risin Baseball)

A police affidavit reviewed by Fox News details brutal acts, including a girlfriend who said she was repeatedly raped and strangled if she refused, and a doctor warned she would have died in one instance if the strangulation lasted seconds longer.

The Payne County District Attorney’s Office has said the decision to handle the case under Oklahoma’s youthful-offender law was based on Butler being 17 at the time of the alleged offenses. The office emphasized the statute “allows the court to maintain supervision until the defendant’s 19th birthday and gives him a chance for rehabilitation while still holding him accountable.”

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In its statement, the DA’s office also wrote that the law “does not erase the crimes or minimize their impact.”

Rep. Justin “JJ” Humphrey (R-Okla.) called the ruling “unacceptable” and announced plans to petition for a grand jury review.

“If that don’t set you on fire, your wood’s wet,” Humphrey told Fox News Digital. “You know what I mean? You’ve got a bad deal. That sets me on fire.”

Court documents show Butler remains bound by a sentence issued Aug. 25, 2025, contingent on full compliance with a state-supervised rehabilitation plan.

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While Butler was sentenced to a total of 78 years, the sentence is suspended under Oklahoma’s youthful offender program, meaning he will not serve prison time unless he violates the program’s conditions.

He remains under Office of Juvenile Affairs supervision until his 19th birthday, subject to counseling, therapy, more than 100 hours of community service, a curfew, no social media, daily check-ins and weekly counseling, according to documents obtained by Fox News. 

If Butler fulfills the terms of the program and avoids further legal trouble, he can remain out of prison, though any violation could result in the full sentence being enforced.

His next hearing is scheduled for Dec. 8 in Payne County District Court.

Fox News’ Brooke Taylor contributed to this report. 

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Stepheny Price covers crime, including missing persons, homicides and migrant crime. Send story tips to stepheny.price@fox.com.

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