Former President Donald Trump has thrown his support behind Texas as it grapples with an escalating border dispute with the Biden administration.
According to The Daily Wire on Friday, January 26, 2024, Trump, aligning with a growing chorus of Republican leaders, expressed concerns about the Biden administration’s approach to the situation, asserting that:
“Joe Biden has surrendered our border, and is aiding and abetting a massive invasion of millions of illegal migrants into the United States.”
In a comprehensive statement, Trump criticized Biden for not taking decisive action to safeguard the country from what he perceives as an onslaught of illegal immigration.
“Instead of fighting to protect our country from this onslaught, Biden is, unbelievably, fighting to tie the hands of Governor Abbott and the State of Texas so that the invasion continues unchecked,” he remarked.
The former president voiced support for Texas’s decision to invoke the Invasion Clause of the Constitution, stating:
“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 called on other states to join Texas in deploying their guards to prevent the entry of illegal immigrants, emphasizing the need to support Texas authorities in implementing measures to protect safety, security, and sovereignty.
He underscored the importance of a collective effort, declaring:
“All Americans should support the commonsense measures by Texas authorities to protect the safety, security, and sovereignty of Texas and of the American people.”
Drawing a sharp comparison between his presidency and Biden’s, Trump argued that the border was more secure under his administration. He pointed to Border Patrol statistics, noting that apprehensions of illegal aliens were significantly lower during his tenure, except for Fiscal Year 2019 when there was a spike to over 850,000 apprehensions. In contrast, the Biden Department of Homeland Security has reported over 5 million apprehensions thus far.
Trump concluded his statement with a pledge for future action, stating:
“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. Those Biden has let in should not get comfortable because they will be going home.”
Governor Abbott’s standoff with the Biden administration has garnered support from numerous GOP governors. Earlier in the day, 25 Republican governors expressed solidarity with Abbott and the state of Texas, reinforcing their commitment to collectively address the border challenges.
This surge of support has translated into tangible assistance, with multiple Republican states sending National Guard soldiers and law enforcement officers to aid Texas in its border efforts. Notable instances include Florida Governor Ron DeSantis sending state law enforcement officers in 2021 and former Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson deploying National Guard troops the same year.
Florida has significantly increased its support since then, and other governors, such as North Dakota’s Doug Burgum and Virginia’s Glenn Youngkin, pledged to send National Guard soldiers last year.
In total, over a dozen Republican states have contributed National Guard troops to help address the border crisis during the Biden administration.
