Gov. Greg Abbott’s defiance of a Supreme Court order regarding federal agents at the southern border is not causing concern among fellow Texas Republicans.
On the contrary, it is solidifying support for the governor’s assertive stance. Texas is currently entangled in two major legal battles with the Department of Justice (DOJ) over its use of razor wire and floating buoys to impede migrant entry, intensifying the standoff between Texas and the Biden administration.
The enforcement efforts and the broader migrant crisis have sparked controversy nationwide but are particularly acute in Texas.
Border Disputes (Credits: Dallas Morning News)
The recent Supreme Court ruling granted federal border patrol agents the authority to remove razor wire installed by Texas along the U.S.-Mexico border while the DOJ pursues a lawsuit against the state over border access.
A separate case involving river border buoys is set to be reheard by the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals in May, allowing the floating barrier to remain in place in the interim.
Abbott, disagreeing with the ruling, has committed to defending Texas’ constitutional authority to secure the border, accusing the Biden administration of jeopardizing state property.
Texas Republicans, across all levels, have rallied behind Abbott, asserting the constitutionality of his actions and blaming the Biden administration for inadequate enforcement of existing immigration laws.
GOP lawmakers in the state penned a letter to Attorney General Merrick Garland urging a reconsideration of the DOJ’s lawsuit against Texas over its use of razor wire.
Congressional Republicans, including Reps. Nate Moran, Keith Self, and Dan Crenshaw have consistently supported Abbott’s approach, with Sen. Ted Cruz endorsing the governor’s constitutional claims.
Acknowledging Trump’s suggestion for states to deploy their National Guards to Texas, Rep. Chip Roy endorsed the idea.
Some GOP governors, like Florida’s Ron DeSantis, have already deployed National Guard members to the border, joining over a dozen states that have sent units since 2021.
Abbott is expected to be joined by more than a dozen Republican governors on a visit to the border, while a coalition of 24 Republican governors released a joint statement supporting Abbott’s border efforts.
On the other side, Texas Democrats are pressuring President Joe Biden to take more assertive action, potentially federalizing the National Guard to remove the razor wire. Former Democratic Rep. Beto O’Rourke criticized Abbott’s use of the Texas Guard and invoked historical precedent, urging Biden to follow Eisenhower’s example in 1957.
Members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, all Democrats, have called on Garland and Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas to investigate Texas for allegedly obstructing U.S. Border Patrol agents.
Rep. Joaquin Castro has suggested federalizing the Texas National Guard, accusing Abbott and Texas Republicans of becoming “bloodthirsty.”
Castro emphasized the militarization of border communities under Operation Lone Star, urging President Biden to consider decisive federal action in response to the crisis in these regions.
The situation remains highly charged, with both Republican and Democratic factions deeply entrenched in their positions regarding Texas’ border enforcement measures.
