Far from backing down against the overwhelming might of President Joe Biden’s federal government, Texas Republican Gov. Greg Abbott is digging in for the defense of the state and nation from the all-out border invasion.
Threats are being bandied about by Democrats of the White House federalizing the Texas National Guard to prevent the state’s border enforcement. But Abbott warned that this would be a major and foolish escalation in the standoff.
Last Monday, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled 5-4 that federal agents may remove razor wire installed along the Rio Grande at Eagle Pass by Texas authorities.
Abbott told Tucker Carlson on his new “Uncensored” program that a Biden takeover of the Guard would be a “boneheaded move on his part.” The governor predicted it would result in “a total disaster.”
The Texas governor was in India with a group of state leaders promoting trade and investment. He told the host that his government is “prepared in the…unlikely event that it does happen.”
Texas will continue to exercise its constitutional right to protect and defend our southern border.
In President Biden's absence, we will hold the line to keep Texans—and Americans—safe.https://t.co/OKLN3Ql1Qk
— Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) January 26, 2024
The showdown intensified when the Department of Homeland Security issued an ultimatum to the state. The Biden agency gave Abbott until last Friday to grant Border Patrol access to the river area at the notorious Eagle Pass crossing.
However, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton flatly rejected the demand. Not only did he send a letter to DHS detailing his noncompliance, but authorities continued to erect border barriers.
The state posted images online of its workers installing more razor wire along the border. To be clear, the high court did not prohibit Texas officials from securing the border, but only allowed border agents to cut wire they put in place.
And Abbott issued a lengthy statement asserting the Lone Star State’s right to “self-defense.” He declared the Biden administration “has broken the compact between the United States and the States.”
The Republican cited the constitutional obligation granted to Washington “to enforce federal laws protecting states, including immigration laws on the books right now.”
Not only has the White House refused to enforce the statutes, according to Abbott, but they routinely violated them. Texas was left with no other course of action but to protect itself.
