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.
“We encourage all willing States to deploy their guards to Texas to prevent the entry of Illegals, and to remove them back across the Border,” Trump continued. “All Americans should support the commonsense measures by Texas authorities to protect the Safety, Security, and Sovereignty of Texas, and of the American people.”
On Tuesday, the Texas National Guard appeared to ignore a Supreme Court decision approving the removal of the razor wire barriers, and continued construction along the border. Abbot justified his decision, criticizing President Biden for not enforcing and violating immigration laws.
The Texas governor has cited the constitutional authority a state has to defend itself against invasion, as the surge of migrants arriving at the country’s southern border continues.
Trump’s declaration comes as Republican governors in several states have backed Abbott in his standoff against the government’s decision to allow Border Patrol to remove the wire. GOP Govs. Kevin Stitt of Oklahoma, Kristi Noem of South Dakota, Ron DeSantis of Florida, Glenn Youngkin of Virginia and Brian Kemp of Georgia have all said they support Abbott.
“When I am President, on Day One, instead of fighting Texas, I will work hand in hand with Governor Abbott and other Border States to Stop the Invasion, Seal the Border, and Rapidly Begin the Largest Domestic Deportation Operation in History,” Trump said. “Those Biden has let in should not get comfortable because they will be going home.”
Trump criticized Biden for “aiding and abetting” the migrant surge. He said it has tied Abbott’s hands “so that the Invasion continues unchecked.”
Claims that Texas officials can supersede federal authority sparked calls from Democrats for Biden to nationalize the Texas National Guard and force them to follow the court’s decision.