White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt is holding her regular news briefing in the White House now.
She started by confirming that 91 people have now died in the floods – one more than we previously knew.
Leavitt talked up US President Donald Trump’s response to the floods, and said the administration was “working hand in glove” with state and local officials.
“The situation on the ground remains dangerous, and there could be additional public safety threats with additional incoming heavy rain,” she said.
‘Depraved lie’
After laying out the updated death toll, Leavitt took aim at Trump’s critics.
She said it was a “depraved lie” that he was responsible for any issues responding to the flash floods.
“Any person who has deliberately lied about the facts around the catastrophic event, you should be deeply ashamed,” Levitt added.
Trump to visit ‘later in the week’
She also said that Trump was going to visit Texas “later in the week.”
Previously, Trump said it was likely he would visit on Friday.
Brian Glenn, read more on the right-wing reporter here, asking the first question, asked Leavitt about the US president’s travel plans to head to Texas.
Leavitt said: “The White House is currently arranging those travel plans, we hope that it will be later this week, likely on Friday.
“But we want to do it for the most appropriate time on the ground for state and local officials, we don’t want ot interrupt the local efforts.
“We’re planning tentatively for Friday.”
‘Depraved and despicable’
Glenn then asked questions over whether Trump’s cuts to the National Weather Service affected its forecasting and warning ability.
Leavitt described such claims as “depraved and despicable”.
Such fierce criticism is something we often hear from her when targeting the media and Trump’s political enemies.
“It is not [a political game], it is a national tragedy,” Leavitt said.
The press secretary also claimed, contrary to some weather bases being understaffed, one place actually had “too many people”.
