Gov. Abbott Says Federalizing Texas National Guard Would Be Severe ‘Political Blunder’

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott said that suggestions to federalize state National Guards would be a severe “political blunder” on behalf of the Biden administration in the midst of a legal battle over U.S.–Mexico border enforcement.

Last week, the legal fight escalated after the U.S. Supreme Court issued a 5–4 decision that favored the Biden administration, allowing federal agents to cut razor wire set up under Texas’ Operation Lone Star. Texas National Guard members were involved in setting up the razor wire along the border, which top state officials say is effective in deterring illegal immigration.

“This is the No. 1 issue in America. Americans want a secure border. If Joe Biden federalizes our National Guard, that would be the biggest political blunder that you can make, and that’s why I think he will not do it,” Mr. Abbott, a Republican, told Fox News’s Sean Hannity on Monday night.

He added, “I am prepared in the event that they do make such a blunder to make sure that Texas will be able to continue to secure our border.”

After the Supreme Court ruling, the Texas National Guard was seen installing more razor wire near the border, although some legal analysts have said that the high court’s ruling only dealt with the removal or cutting of the wire—not whether or not the state could keep placing it there.

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Some Democrats, including 2020 presidential candidate Beto O’Rourke, have suggested that President Joe Biden should move to nationalize the National Guard, drawing strong pushback from Republicans. Mr. O’Rourke and the other Democrats have said Texas’ continued attempts to install the wire is tantamount to a constitutional crisis.

Over the past several months, Mr. Abbott has asserted his state’s increased activity along the border falls under Texas’ constitutional authority to defend itself from what he described as an invasion. He again made that argument on Monday.

“So, Texas has every constitutional right in this case, and I believe, when the sun sets on this, Texas will be vindicated, and the Constitution will be strengthened,” the governor said.

Other than the legal fracas surrounding razor wire, the Biden administration recently demanded that Texas give U.S. Border Patrol agents access to a riverfront park that is a popular corridor to enter the United States.

Texas seized control of the park this month and began denying entry to Border Patrol agents. On Tuesday, the Department of Homeland Security sent the state a letter demanding access to Shelby Park, which is next to the Rio Grande, again.

Texas told the Supreme Court the park was reopened to the public days after they shut it down, but the federal government expressed skepticism in its letter. The Biden administration requested access to the park, an area underneath a port of entry, and a boat ramp.

“To our knowledge, Texas has only permitted access to Shelby Park by allowing public entry for a memorial, the media, and use of the golf course adjacent to Shelby Park, all while continuing to restrict U.S. Border Patrol’s access to the park,” the Homeland Security letter read.

Appeals courts have also ruled on other barriers that Texas set up in recent months, including one comprised of buoys that was installed in the middle of the Rio Grande. Last month, Texas was ordered by the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to remove that buoy barrier, although the court later said it would re-hear the case.

Trump Responds

His border security push also drew praise from former President Donald Trump, who said during a Saturday event that he backs the governor’s capacity to install razor wire.

In a speech focused on border security, the former president said Texas should be given full support in its measures to deter illegal immigrants along the U.S.–Mexico border.

“When I’m president, instead of trying to send Texas a restraining order, I will send them reinforcements,” he told a crowd of supporters in Las Vegas. “Instead of fighting border states, I will use every resource, tool, and authority of the U.S. president to defend the United States of America from this horrible invasion that is taking place right now.”

President Trump, in recent months, has said that if he’s elected, he would carry out the largest deportation effort in U.S. history. He has also reiterated calls to finish the construction of a wall along the U.S.–Mexico border, a key 2016 campaign promise of his.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.