Governor Greg Abbott once again charged against the Biden Administration and challenged the federal government in a statement where he declared that Texas would defend its borders, even if that meant overriding federal laws.
"The federal government has broken the compact between the United States and the States. The Executive Branch of the United States has a constitutional duty to enforce federal laws protecting States, including immigration laws on the books right now," Abbott wrote in a statement. "President Biden has refused to enforce those laws and has even violated them. The result is that he has smashed records for illegal immigration."
My statement on Texas’ constitutional right to self-defense. pic.twitter.com/seNFZdmujP
— Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) January 24, 2024
"President Biden has instructed his agencies to ignore federal statutes that mandate the detention of illegal immigrants. The effect is to illegally allow their en masse parole into the United States," Abbott continued, stating that the federal government sued Texas in each of its efforts to control the immigration crisis that has plagued the country for almost three years.
Later, Abbott stated that the founding fathers, such as James Madison and Alexander Hamilton, foresaw that states should not depend on a president to defend themselves from external threats, such as illegal migration exploited by dangerous cartels in Mexico.
"That is why the Framers included both Article IV, § 4, which promises that the federal government 'shall protect each [State] against invasion,' and Article I, § 10, Clause 3, which acknowledges 'the States' sovereign interest in protecting their borders,'" the governor cited.
Finally, speaking bluntly, Abbott said his invasion declaration last September left Texas in a position of self-defense, defying the federal government's abandonment.
"The failure of the Biden Administration to fulfill the duties imposed by Article IV, § 4 has triggered Article I, § 10, Clause 3, which reserves to this State the right of self-defense," the governor wrote. "For these reasons, I have already declared an invasion under Article I, § 10, Clause 3 to invoke Texas's constitutional authority to defend and protect itself. That authority is the supreme law of the land and supersedes any federal statutes to the contrary."
Texas also challenges controversial Supreme Court ruling
Abbott's challenge of the Biden Administration comes just after the Supreme Court decided this week, in a 5-4 ruling, that U.S. Border Patrol agents can cut the barbed wire placed along the border cities to try to stop illegal migration.
Given the ruling, the Republican governor ordered that wire fences continue to be put up along Shelby Park in Eagle Pass, taking advantage of the fact that the court did not stipulate a prohibition on cordoning off the area in its ruling.
"What the Supreme Court did was overturn an order saying Border Patrol COULDN'T remove Texas razor wire to process migrants. It didn't affirmatively rule that the Border Patrol COULD remove Texas razor wire. Abbott is clearly taking advantage of that fact," wrote Aaron Reichlin-Melnick, policy director at the American Immigration Council.
Adding some nuance here: what the Supreme Court did was overturn an order saying Border Patrol COULDN’T remove Texas razor wire to process migrants. It didn’t affirmatively rule that the Border Patrol COULD remove Texas razor wire. Abbott is clearly taking advantage of that fact. https://t.co/oLj9bdtZZo
— Aaron Reichlin-Melnick (@ReichlinMelnick) January 24, 2024
Talkers encourage combative Abbott
Various conservative analysts, presenters, and commentators supported Governor Abbott's combative statement and urged other Republican governors to stand up to the federal government.
"Greg Abbott could go down as one of the most important governors in American history if he holds the line here and doesn't relent," wrote the Daily Wire's Matt Walsh.
Greg Abbott could go down as one of the most important governors in American history if he holds the line here and doesn't relent https://t.co/JItyKCZCVY
— Matt Walsh (@MattWalshBlog) January 24, 2024
Charlie Kirk, founder and CEO of Turning Point USA, also praised the Texas governor: "We all owe a debt of gratitude to Governor Greg Abbott and the state of Texas for finally saying enough is enough and holding the line against a lawless president and a treasonous federal government."
"But Texas shouldn't have to do it alone. All Red State governors should rally behind Texas and defend our national sovereignty. Every state is a border state so every state should help shoulder the burden," he added.
We all owe a debt of gratitude to Governor Greg Abbott and the state of Texas for finally saying enough is enough and holding the line against a lawless president and a treasonous federal government. But Texas shouldn't have to do it alone. All Red State governors should rally…
— Charlie Kirk (@charliekirk11) January 24, 2024
Likewise, Representative Matt Gaetz (R-FL) was one of the conservative leaders who supported Abbott's position.
Governor Abbott is correct. https://t.co/tyfEhjGWOc
— Matt Gaetz (@mattgaetz) January 24, 2024
