
As the Texas Tribune reports, a standoff between Texas Gov. Greg Abbott and the Biden administration over control of the U.S. Southern border as Texas National Guard units block federal authorities from the border even after a U.S. Supreme Court ruling directing otherwise is undergoing what can be best described as rapid political intensification, with Republican governors across the nation praising Abbott’s defiance and some even vowing to send their own troops to Texas:
At issue is concertina wire that the Texas National Guard has been using as a barrier between the Rio Grande River and Shelby Park, a 47-acre area in Eagle Pass. In a 5-4 decision earlier this week, the U.S. Supreme Court sided with the Biden Administration when it vacated a lower court’s ruling that prevented Border Patrol agents from cutting the wire to apprehend people who had crossed the river.
On Wednesday — and as the Texas National Guard and state troopers continued to roll out the wire and prevent federal agents from accessing much of the park — Abbott continued to publicly challenge the ruling and “hold the line.” He declared that Texas was under an “invasion,” giving the state the constitutional right to defend itself and claimed that President Joe Biden’s practice of paroling migrants into the country amounted to a refusal to enforce current immigration laws…
Abbott’s statement was quickly condemned by some legal scholars, who said it was blatantly unconstitutional and amounted to a usurping of the federal government. [Pols emphasis]
Presumptive GOP nominee Donald Trump is all about disregarding the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling as well, something to keep in mind when the Court resumes its usual practice of ruling Trump’s way:
Former President Trump encouraged “all willing States” to deploy National Guard members to Texas amid the feud between Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) and the federal government over the removal of razor wire across the U.S.-Mexico border.
“In the face of this National Security, Public Safety, and Public Health Catastrophe, Texas has rightly invoked the Invasion Clause of the Constitution, and must be given full support to repel the Invasion,” Trump said in a statement Thursday.
South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem says she is ready to once again send troops to the Texas border, under “different arrangements” this time:
When Hannity asked if Governor Noem is willing to send South Dakota National Guard troops to the border, Governor Noem responded: “I already have three times… I am willing to send National Guard down there to stand alongside them. I want it to be different arrangements this time. If we’re going to enforce Texas law – and if I’m going to have the ability to use these soldiers in a way that’s effective – that will be absolutely fantastic.”
Keep in mind that this is happening at the same time as U.S. Senators are close to a bipartisan agreement on an immigration relief measure aimed directly at addressing the surge of migrants since the end of COVID-era border protections–legislation that Trump and hard-line House Republicans freely admit they do not want to pass since it would be beneficial politically for President Joe Biden.
That Republicans are willing to defy even the U.S. Supreme Court they’ve relied upon to roll the nation back decades in a matter of a few years is remarkable, but to see them willing to do so just so they can dodge giving Joe Biden a victory before the next election proves they don’t care about either border security or the rule of law. The more serious you consider the migrant crisis at the Southern border, the more outraged you should be.
It’s not a good look. Don’t let it fool the voters you know.
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