Texas Governor Greg Abbott recently affirmed the state's commitment to securing the southern border, despite what he perceives as a lack of support from President Biden. His remarks were delivered at a press conference addressing the border crisis, attended by several state governors.
"President Biden has abandoned his constitutional duty to protect Americans by refusing to secure our southern border", said Greg Abbott, according to Office of the Texas Governor. "During his presidency, Joe Biden has smashed records for illegal immigration and allowed total chaos to be unleashed along our southern border. Instead of upholding immigration laws already on the books, President Biden sent his lawyers into federal courts to sue the State of Texas for doing the job he should have been doing all along. Half of America's Governors, including those here with me today, have banded together to make one thing clear: Americans stand with Texas and our right to protect and defend our state from the crisis at our southern border."
Governor Abbott was quoted saying, "President Biden has abandoned his constitutional duty to protect Americans by refusing to secure our southern border." He further criticized President Biden's handling of immigration, stating, "During his presidency, Joe Biden has smashed records for illegal immigration and allowed total chaos to be unleashed along our southern border." Abbott also expressed dissatisfaction with the administration's legal approach towards Texas' immigration efforts: "Instead of upholding immigration laws already on the books, President Biden sent his lawyers into federal courts to sue the State of Texas for doing the job he should have been doing all along." He concluded his remarks by emphasizing solidarity among states against the ongoing crisis: "Half of America’s Governors, including those here with me today, have banded together to make one thing clear: Americans stand with Texas and our right to protect and defend our state from the crisis at our southern border."
According to a press release from the Office of the Texas Governor, Abbott convened with 13 other governors to discuss their shared concerns about the border crisis and perceived lack of federal support. The meeting took place on February 4th and included reports from several key officials such as Freeman Martin, Deputy Director of Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS); Major General Thomas Suelzer, Texas Adjutant General; Nim Kidd, Chief of Texas Division of Emergency Management; and Mike Banks, Texas Border Czar. Martin reported that "458 million lethal doses of fentanyl" had been seized at the border - enough to kill every American citizen. The release also highlighted that "Operation Lone Star" in Texas has been implementing additional security measures like laying more razor wire along border lines.
The press release further indicated that 14 states across the United States have backed Texas in its border defense efforts. It specifically named the governors from Tennessee, Georgia, Arkansas, and Montana, who contend that states are uniting to address the border crisis due to perceived insufficient support from President Biden.
Governor Abbott's official page on the Office of the Texas Governor website outlines his focus on economic growth, education, and border security. His successful reelection in 2022 marked the commencement of his third term in office. First elected in 2014, Abbott has previously served Texas as attorney general and as a justice of the Texas Supreme Court.
