The Kerr County 21: They Thought They Were Protecting Freedom
In reality, they were rejecting a lifeline. In Kerr County, that illusion turned deadly. It also became a case study in what happens when MAGA conspiracies run deep enough to drown the truth.
In 2021, Kerr County, Texas was offered $10.1 million in federal aid through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), funding designed to help communities recover from the pandemic and invest in future safety.
Kerr’s portion was earmarked for things like infrastructure, emergency communication, and flood preparedness, including a long-discussed but never-funded flood warning siren system.
But what unfolded instead was a chilling glimpse into what happens when conspiracy becomes policy.
At a public Commissioners’ Court meeting on November 22, 2021, 21 residents lined up to speak against the funds. They weren’t concerned about logistics or budget priorities. They were worried about executive orders, vaccine mandates, and losing their freedom to federal control.
They called it “Biden money.”
They compared it to contracts with the devil.
They cited fringe interpretations of federal code, made threats of legal retaliation, and referenced BlackRock, Satan, and the Green New Deal.
Some read off Facebook posts.
Others quoted Ronald Reagan, the Bible, and Fox News talking points. And nearly all of them, by name, are now on record as opposing funds that could have saved lives.
Here’s what they said:
Marcia King warned the funds would “indenture all future generations” to federal tyranny.
Richard King said ARPA was “the most dangerous thing in the history of America” and claimed accepting it would make Kerr County “slaves.”
Rita Casey raised legal concerns about refund liability and federal overreach.
Shary Snyder threatened personal lawsuits against county officials if the funds were kept.
Brian McDowell said the temptation of federal money would corrupt the county.
Ronald Campbell called COVID vaccine mandates “jammed down our throat.”
Bethany Puccio, speaking for We The People, Liberty In Action, called the Biden administration “tyrannical and anti-American.”
Ruth Cremin likened ARPA to a golden credit card signed by Satan.
Jack Cremin said government lawyers would twist contracts to force vaccines.
Rich Paces said accepting funds was signing a “contract with the devil.”
Frank Ricketts called the pandemic a “scamdemic” and blamed communism.
Anke Leitner, a German-born resident, warned this was how it started in Europe.
Maria Hammerlein warned of “unfunded mandates” and irreversible control.
Alicia Bell declined to speak but was present.
Barbara Dewell said sitting on the funds was dangerous and they needed to go.
Julie Adams called it “Judas money” and vowed to hold officials accountable.
Michael Piper issued a “warning,” not a threat, he clarified, about rejecting Washington mandates.
Kathleen Ocker quoted Reagan and Jefferson in defense of local sovereignty.
Robert Fearon was called but didn’t speak publicly.
Laurie Adams referenced BlackRock and gendered jail policies.
Todd Kensey said he moved to Texas to escape this kind of federal control.
After this meeting, the Commissioners’ Court voted 3 to 2 to delay acceptance of the funds.
They eventually reversed course and accepted them in January 2022, but by then, the damage was done. The political messaging had already taken root.
And when it came time to spend the money?
They didn’t fund sirens.
They didn’t fund flood sensors.
They didn’t fund emergency warning systems.
Instead, the funds were used for things like Sheriff’s department upgrades and employee stipends.
By September 2024, more than $7 million had been spent.
But not on the one thing Kerr County had been warned for years it needed: a way to alert residents of incoming disaster.
In July 2025, that disaster came.
Historic rainfall triggered flash floods across Central Texas. Over 170 people went missing, 96 of them in Kerr County alone. Entire communities were swept away in the night with no sirens, no alerts, no warning.
Meanwhile, the neighboring town of Comfort, Texas had used its own funds in 2024 to install a basic flood siren system. They reported zero fatalities.
This wasn’t just a storm.
It was also a glimpse into the real-world result of political disinformation.
This is what happens when people are taught to see help as control.
When they believe liberty means ignoring reality.
When public safety becomes partisan.
And when federal aid is treated like a Trojan horse instead of a lifeline.
The tragedy in Kerr County should break all of our hearts. But it should also shake us awake.
Wow! Such important information and message.
This is heartbreaking but a testament to what is happening in America in all reaches of our community.