Will Texas Gov. Greg Abbott defy the United States Supreme Court and protect its border? Will President Biden respond by Federalizing the Texas National Guard? Also looming is the option of militarizing the Texas State Guard, which Biden has no authority to Federalize.
In a 5-4 decision, the United States Supreme Court sided with President Joe Biden to allow Federal Border agents to cut razor wire barriers — put in place by Texas authorities — along the Texas border with Mexico. The decision only ruled on the issue of the border wire, but not the merits of the larger issue of border enforcement.
Two GOP-appointed justices sided with Biden. One was the George W. Bush appointed Chief Justice Roberts, who has been a significant disappointment to conservatives in many decisions. But the real surprise was Trump appointee Justice Amy Coney Barrett, who was effectively the swing vote for the Biden Administration.
Conservative Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has promised to continue to fight this issue.
Texas has initially responded to the decision by offering to install razor wire-free of charge on private property along the border. Indeed, since Texas authorities have secured the Shelby Park area of the border town of Eagle Pass, illegals have opted for routes around the town and through private ranches. One landowner has reported that 200 migrants per day have crossed his land since the Eagle Pass route has been closed off.
From a strictly legal perspective, a Supreme Court ruling is the highest law of the United States, superseding all state or local laws and court rulings. The real question at hand is, will there be a critical mass of citizens and authorities in the state of Texas that believe the very survival of the nation is at stake? The razor wire issue could be a flashpoint. This could be the most historic confrontation of Feds versus state since the Whiskey Rebellion of 1794.
🚨BREAKING: Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton responds to Joe Biden’s attack on his state’s ability to secure the border
“More deportations, More razor wire” pic.twitter.com/MH7G0kSLsY
— Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) January 25, 2024
Immediately after his inauguration, Biden ceased construction of the southern border wall started by Donald Trump. His proclamation stated the wall was “a waste of money that diverts attention from genuine threats to our homeland security.”
About 3.8 million people have crossed the border illegally since President Biden took office and established open border policies. That is greater than the population of 22 states.
The state of Texas has a bit of a unique history. Its independence from Mexico followed a path through the battle of the Alamo in 1835 and eventually to winning its independence as a Republic in 1836. Nearly ten years later, Texas became part of the United States. The rugged individualism that characterizes its history has resulted in the independent spirit reflected in “Don’t Mess with Texas” bumper stickers and the “Come and take it” motto.
