As Texas continues to recover from one of the deadliest flood disasters in its history, Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) has sparked outrage for his response to the tragedy—not by proposing reforms or offering policy solutions, but by blaming the death toll on divine will.
In an interview on Real America’s Voice on Monday, Cruz appeared visibly emotional as he fielded a question from host David Brody about why “God doesn’t make sense” in the face of the devastating floods that have so far claimed the lives of more than 80 Texans.
“Why does God allow bad things to happen to young children?” Cruz said solemnly. “I don’t know that I have any additional insight other than saying God is a good and loving God, and He will help us through this.”
Cruz’s comments have ignited criticism from constituents, religious leaders, and disaster response advocates, who say his remarks deflect attention from systemic failures that could have prevented the loss of life.
“We have a good and benevolent God,” Cruz continued. “But God allows things to happen sometimes that defy human explanation, and that’s where we need love and where we need grace.”
But what’s drawing particular scrutiny is not just the spiritual framing—it’s what Cruz didn’t say. Nowhere in the interview did he acknowledge the role of defunded emergency management services, outdated infrastructure, or even the lack of a localized flood warning system in many counties, including Kerr County, where dozens of deaths occurred.
Cruz also lauded the “strong community of believers” in Texas, suggesting that churches—not government—should be relied upon in moments of crisis. “You have churches that step in and do the role we should,” he said, reinforcing a long-held conservative view that social services should be handled by private institutions rather than state or federal agencies.
Critics argue this mindset has left Texas uniquely vulnerable to natural disasters.
In the past two weeks, multiple reports have revealed that key positions at the National Weather Service offices across Texas were left unfilled, slowing response times and reducing coordination with local emergency officials. Kerr County, where many of the dead were found, lacked even a basic flood warning system—something the county judge admitted was scrapped because “taxpayers wouldn’t pay for it.”
“The people of Texas didn’t die because God allowed it,” said Rev. Dr. Laura Gonzalez of the United Methodist Church of San Antonio. “They died because our leaders have consistently chosen austerity and privatization over preparedness and protection. And that’s a moral failure.”
Even some of Cruz’s Republican colleagues have stayed quiet or shifted blame elsewhere. Rep. Chip Roy (R-TX) used the tragedy to argue for fewer government officials, stating, “We don’t need more bureaucrats—we need more personal responsibility.”
But for many residents of flood-ravaged communities, those words ring hollow. The damage is done. The grief is real. And the lack of accountability is glaring.
Cruz’s remarks may resonate with a certain segment of his evangelical base. But for the families mourning lost children, elderly parents, and neighbors pulled from rooftops or found downstream, divine mystery offers no justice—and no plan for preventing the next disaster.
As one local woman in Kerrville said on social media: “I lost my sister in this flood. Don’t tell me God let it happen. Tell me why Ted Cruz and our leaders let our warnings fall silent.”
