Ms. Cruz responded to Mr. Trump’s comments in an interview on MSNBC, saying: “I was asking for help. I wasn’t saying anything nasty about the president.”

She added: “This is a time when everyone shows their true colors. I have no time for distractions. All I have is time for people to move forward, get help.”

Mr. Miranda defended Ms. Cruz and suggested the president was lying about the effectiveness of the federal response. He also took aim at Mr. Trump for spending the weekend at his golf club in Bedminster, N.J.