Transcript for Trump praises local officials during Texas visit

George, president trump and the first lady traveled to the storm zone in Texas on Tuesday to meet with local officials dealing with this disaster. The president was full of praise, but cautioned it is too early for congratulations. Senior correspondent Cecilia Vega has more now from rockport. Good morning, Cecilia. Reporter: Amy, good morning. Before his trip here to Texas the president said that the state would be back up and running very, very quickly but during his trip here, he conceded it is a long road ahead and just look at this. The road to recovery for so many people here still a long way off. President trump returning to the white house overnight after a day trip to that storm zone where he met with emergency workers and state officials but not with victims of the storm. The white house coming to his defense saying the president did not want to interfere with rescue efforts. Asked about it on the ride home on air force one, press secretary Sarah Sanders said president trump's trip is all about people making sure that we are taking care of the people of Texas, that is his number one priority. The president seeming upbeat on that trip. We're going to get you back and operating immediately. Thank you, everybody. What a crowd, what a turnout. Reporter: Waving a Texas flag in front of a crowd of supporters. On the ground the president praising rescue efforts. So far $25 million in emergency relief funds helping repair roads and bridges and at least 8600 federal personnel on the ground in southeast Texas. It's a real team and we want to do it better than ever before. We want to be looked at in five years and ten years from now as this is the way to do it. Reporter: Victims hoping they see results soon. What's the damage like? Totaled. Totalled. Completely. Reporter: It certainly is and president trump is heading back here to Texas on Saturday, possibly to Louisiana too but not before he heads to Missouri today, Amy and George, where he will be talking tax reform. All right, Cecilia. Thank you.

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