Texas Governor Greg Abbott has voiced his concerns about the possible federalization of the National Guard under President Joe Biden, arguing that it would have dire consequences for his state. The tensions between the White House and Texas over the border crisis have been escalating, particularly after a Supreme Court ruling regarding the installation of razor wire as part of Abbott’s Operation Lone Star.
The Supreme Court recently allowed federal border agents to begin removing the razor wire that had been put up under Abbott’s operation. In response, the Texas National Guard continued the deployment of razor wire, seemingly disregarding the ruling. This prompted Governor Abbott to address the dispute and the potential federalization of the National Guard in an interview with conservative commentator Tucker Carlson.
Abbott criticized the idea of federalizing the National Guard under President Biden, labeling it as “boneheaded.” He emphasized that Texas is committed to maintaining its current actions, including the construction of barriers along the border. The Biden administration argues that the razor wire obstructs federal agents from accessing vital areas of the border, further fueling the disagreement between Texas and the federal government.
Some individuals, such as former Democrat Congressman Beto O’Rourke and Democratic Texas Representative Joaquin Castro, have called for President Biden to federalize the National Guard in response to the situation. However, there are legal questions surrounding the authority for such a move.
One tragic incident that occurred in January further intensified the border dispute. Three migrants, including two children, drowned in the Rio Grande in an area that was inaccessible to federal agents. Governor Abbott has been a vocal critic of the White House’s immigration policies, accusing President Biden of instructing federal agencies to disregard laws mandating the detention of illegal immigrants. He believes that it is his duty to protect Texas against what he perceives as an invasion.
