Republicans tell Biden not to take control of Texas National Guard amid standoff over border

A group of 24 House Republicans urged President Biden not to federalize the Texas National Guard in the midst of Texas wanting to crack down on the spike of illegal immigration on the U.S.-Mexico border in a letter Thursday.

The lower chamber members, led by Rep. Randy Weber (R-Texas), are hoping to dissuade Biden from agreeing with Democratic lawmakers and seizing control of the state’s national guard. They are arguing the move would be unconstitutional and are calling on the president to join Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) “in protecting the American people from this invasion.”

“Governor Abbott has diligently safeguarded our citizens, with the Texas National Guard at the forefront in halting the incursion. Any endeavor by Joe Biden to usurp and federalize the National Guard not only constitutes an overstep but also flagrantly violates constitutional bounds,” Weber said. 

The push by Democratic lawmakers for Biden to seize control of the Texas National Guard came after troops took control of Shelby Park, a border crossing point for many illegal immigrants stationed in Eagle Pass, Texas. 

Abbott directed the Texas National Guard to deploy razor wire along the Texas-Mexico border in October. The Biden Administration challenged the installment along the Rio Grande, arguing it would make it harder for border officials to do their jobs. The Supreme Court sided with the Biden administration, but Abbott directed the state national guard to not back off, creating a dispute over who holds the authority to direct border policy in the state of Texas. 

“By deploying the National Guard, Governor Abbott has taken the necessary steps to defend this country and her people from foreign invaders,” the lawmakers wrote in the letter. “To that end, we urge you to reconsider any inclination toward federalizing the National Guard in Texas. Any attempt to usurp command of the Texas National Guard using the authorities under the Insurrection Act of 1807 would be unconstitutional.” 

Besides Weber, the letter was signed by Reps. John Carter (R-Texas), Andy Harris (R-Md.), Russ Fulcher (R-Idaho), Andy Ogles (R-Tenn.), Troy Nehls (R-Texas), Lauren Boebert (R-Colo.), Brian Babin (R-Texas), Keith Self (R-Texas), Anna Paulina Luna (R-Fla.), Ralph Norman (R-S.C.), Chris Smith (R-N.J.), Monica De La Cruz (R-Texas), Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.), Gary Palmer (R-Ala.), Ronny Jackson (R-Texas), Kay Granger (R-Texas), Eric Burlison (R-Mo.), Michael Cloud (R-Texas), Pete Sessions (R-Texas), Lance Gooden (R-Texas), Mary Miller (R-Ill.), Chuck Edwards (R-N.C.) and Clay Higgins (R-La.). The letter was first obtained by the Washington Examiner.