EAGLE PASS—Texas Gov. Greg Abbott gathered with 13 other Republican governors to assert the states’ right to self-defense as President Joe Biden’s border crisis continues.
“Joe Biden does not need more legislative authority,” said Abbott, citing the laws already in place that Texas is attempting to follow. “He just needs a backbone to step up and do his job and secure the border.”
Abbott held a press conference in Shelby Park Sunday afternoon, the site of an ongoing battle between the federal and state governments after Texas seized Shelby Park last month.
Shelby Park has long been a hotspot for illegal crossings, and since the state took it over and fortified it, crossings at the park have greatly lessened.
If Texas can do it, Abbott said the federal government most certainly can.
He warned of the “imminent dangers” of allowing such vast numbers of illegal aliens into the country without proper vetting, citing the Texas Department of Public Safety’s arrest of an MS-13 gang member who was on the FBI’s terrorist watchlist.
Abbott was joined by Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders, Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp, Idaho Gov. Brad Little, Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb, Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds, Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry, Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves, Missouri Gov. Mike Parson, Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte, Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen, New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu, Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee, and Utah Gov. Spencer Cox—all of whom have previously voiced support for Texas in its fight against the Biden administration.
“Our states’ are being invaded,” Gov. Gianforte echoed Abbott.
“Joe Biden has completely failed at one of his most basic duties as president,” said Gov. Sanders.
“We don’t have time to wait till November,” added Abbott. “We’ve got lives on the line every single day.”
“Our declaration is a declaration of our rights under the United States Constitution,” said Abbott. “Article I, Section 10, Clause 3 guarantees the right of every state, as either invaded or in imminent danger—which we are in imminent danger—to be able to exercise self-defense. Texas will continue to exercise that self-defense and expand the area where we are using self-defense to make sure we are able to better protect our communities.”
Abbott said the number of people who have crossed illegally since Biden took office is equivalent to three times the 2.3 million population of Houston. December’s official numbers alone soared over 300,000—the highest month ever recorded.
“The federal government has failed Texans and Americans in providing that security and that safety, and that’s why these governors are here together today to do our job—which is the job that the federal government has failed to do—and that is to protect this country,” said Tennesse Gov. Lee. “Each one of us understands the devastating effects that the border policy has had on every one of our states individually. And we’re here together to collaboratively work to support Texas and to provide for the safety and security of people all across the country.”
Lee announced during the press conference that Tennessee was prepared to send additional troops to assist Texas.
