Noem Denies Accusation of Delaying Texas Flood Response

"Well, there you go. Fake News. CNN again. It’s absolutely trash what they’re doing by saying that," Noem told the Fox News Channel hosts.

A "longtime FEMA official" told the outlet, "We were operating under a clear set of guidance: lean forward, be prepared, anticipate what the state needs, and be ready to deliver it. That is not as clear of an intent for us at the moment."

While on "Fox & Friends," Noem countered the claims that she caused a delayed response, stating DHS teams were deployed to the disaster zone immediately.

"Our Coast Guard, our Border Patrol BORTAC (Border Patrol Tactical Unit) teams were there immediately. Every single thing they asked for, we were there," the DHS head said. "The governor and the emergency management director, Nim Kidd, are fantastic and nobody there has said anything about that they didn’t get everything that they wanted immediately or that they needed. And I’m proud of the work we’ve done to support that."

Noem blasted CNN once more, saying, "The fact that CNN is continuing to be political and push out fake information and false information and lies is not shocking, but it’s a disservice to the country. It’s a real disservice to the country because people start to mistrust anything that comes out then over the news."

A CNN spokesperson said the network stood by its reporting.