Morning Joe Podcast Summary Episode: More than 100 Dead, 160 Missing in Texas Floods
Release Date: July 9, 2025
Hosts: Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski
Contributors: Jonathan Lemire (The Atlantic), Mark Barnacle (MSNBC), David French (New York Times), Pete Wehner (The Atlantic)

1. Devastating Floods in Texas Hill Country

The episode opens with a somber discussion about the catastrophic floods in Texas Hill Country, which have resulted in at least 110 fatalities, including 30 children, and 160 missing persons as reported by Governor Greg Abbott. The hosts express deep concern over the rising death toll five days post-disaster.

Governor Abbott emphasized resilience and commitment to recovery:
"We will not stop until every missing person is accounted for"
— Jonathan Lemire [01:03]

2. Emergency Alert System Failures

A significant portion of the discussion centers on the failures of Texas's emergency alert system. Residents near the Guadalupe River, including campers who often forgo cell phones, were left without adequate warnings. Jonathan Lemire highlights the urgency:
"Texas is in this with the people in the hill country right here. We are not leaving until this job is finished."
— Jonathan Lemire [03:13]

Mika Brzezinski criticizes the state's reliance on a "rainy day fund" instead of proactively investing in critical infrastructure:
"They have what is about a third of a 30 billion at last count. Rainy day fund they called it."
— Mika Brzezinski [08:19]

3. San Antonio Express-News Editorial Insights

The hosts reference an editorial from the San Antonio Express-News, which shifts the blame from the National Weather Service to Texas officials for the lack of effective emergency communication. The editorial argues that cutting federal funding for weather services has hindered timely and effective disaster responses.

4. Severe Weather Strikes New Mexico

Transitioning from Texas, the podcast addresses recent fatal flash floods in southern New Mexico, claiming three lives, including a 7-year-old boy. Meteorologist Michelle Grossman warns of ongoing severe weather risks exacerbated by climate change: "We're looking at very slow-moving storms, that connection to climate change where things are not budging in the atmosphere."
— Michelle Grossman [17:51]

5. Federal vs. State Response: The FEMA Debate

A heated debate ensues حول Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and its role in disaster response. Jonathan Lemire and Mika Brzezinski critique the Trump administration's attempts to reorganize or even eliminate FEMA, arguing that states alone lack the capacity to handle large-scale disasters effectively.

Jonathan Lemire states:
"A disaster like this should not be politicized, but far too often it has become."
— Jonathan Lemire [13:15]

6. International Affairs: U.S. Military Aid to Ukraine and Relations with Putin

The conversation shifts to international politics, specifically the U.S. military aid to Ukraine amidst the ongoing conflict with Vladimir Putin's Russia. Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski express frustration over Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's unilateral decision to pause weapons shipments without presidential consent.

President Trump voiced his dissatisfaction:
"I'm not happy with Putin. I can tell you that much right now because he's killing a lot of people."
— Joe Scarborough [31:32]

Political analysts on the show discuss the implications of this move, suggesting it undermines the President's authority and weakens U.S. support for Ukraine.

7. Jeffrey Epstein Surveillance Video Controversy

A lighter yet controversial segment covers Attorney General Pam Bondi's explanation for a missing minute in the surveillance video of Jeffrey Epstein's prison cell. The hosts engage in a humorous exchange questioning the plausibility of the explanation, highlighting public skepticism.

Jonathan Lemire remarks:
"This sort of explanation defies reason and certainly it is remarkable on just the shift in tone here."
— Jonathan Lemire [51:51]

8. IRS Policy Change: Churches and Political Endorsements

The podcast delves into a significant policy shift by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), allowing churches to endorse political candidates without jeopardizing their tax-exempt status. Reverend Al Sharpton and David French discuss the potential ramifications, emphasizing the balance between First Amendment rights and maintaining congregational unity.

Reverend Al Sharpton expresses concern about potential divisions:
"Are you going to be able to bring candidate A or B to the pulpit and say this is who we endorse?"
— Reverend Al Sharpton [54:07]

David French adds:
"The First Amendment was designed to protect political speech, and this is an important moment for that principle."
— David French [59:41]

9. Closing Remarks and Upcoming Stories

The hosts preview upcoming topics, including political endorsements from the pulpit, IRS policy changes, and a Supreme Court ruling affecting the Trump administration's plans to reshape the federal government. They also tease further discussions on President Trump's stance towards Vladimir Putin and the Jeffrey Epstein investigation.

Notable Quotes:

• Jonathan Lemire [01:03]: "We will not stop until every missing person is accounted for."
• Mika Brzezinski [08:19]: "They have what is about a third of a 30 billion at last count. Rainy day fund they called it."
• Michelle Grossman [17:51]: "We're looking at very slow-moving storms, that connection to climate change where things are not budging in the atmosphere."
• President Trump [31:32]: "I'm not happy with Putin. I can tell you that much right now because he's killing a lot of people."
• Reverend Al Sharpton [54:07]: "Are you going to be able to bring candidate A or B to the pulpit and say this is who we endorse?"

This episode of Morning Joe provides a comprehensive analysis of the devastating Texas floods, critiques of emergency response systems, insights into international military aid, and significant policy changes affecting political endorsements by religious institutions. The hosts and their expert contributors offer a balanced perspective on these pressing issues, enriched with firsthand reports and expert opinions.