Texas Governor Abbott Issued a Statement After the SCOTUS Ruled He Can't Stop Biden Administration
2024-01-24
Following the Supreme Court's decision yesterday granting the Biden Administration the right to remove the razorwire Governor Abbott has installed, the Governor of Texas has issued a statement in response.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott accused the federal government, and specifically President Biden, of breaching the longstanding compact between the United States and its constituent states. Governor Abbott highlighted the constitutional duty of the Executive Branch to enforce federal laws that protect states, particularly emphasizing immigration laws currently in effect.
According to Governor Abbott, President Biden's refusal to enforce existing immigration laws and alleged violations of those laws have led to record-breaking levels of illegal immigration. Abbott claims to have personally delivered a series of letters to the President, putting him on notice about Texas's demands for the enforcement of constitutional duties.
The Texas Governor outlined several key points of contention:
Violations of Oath: Abbott accused President Biden of violating his oath to faithfully execute immigration laws enacted by Congress. Instead of pursuing prosecutions for illegal entry, the President's administration has taken the unusual step of suing Texas for its efforts to secure the border.
Ignoring Federal Statutes: President Biden, according to Abbott, has instructed federal agencies to ignore statutes mandating the detention of illegal immigrants. This, in turn, has resulted in the mass release of immigrants into the United States.
Border Security Infrastructure: Abbott alleges that the Biden administration's actions have led to the wasteful expenditure of taxpayer dollars on tearing open Texas's border security infrastructure. This, in turn, has diverted illegal immigrants away from legal entry points, exposing them to the dangers of the Rio Grande.
Governor Abbott claims that, under President Biden's policies, over 6 million illegal immigrants have crossed the southern border in just three years, surpassing the population of 33 different states. He contends that this failure to protect states has caused unprecedented harm to people across the United States.
Abbott invokes the wisdom of the Framers of the U.S. Constitution, particularly referencing Article IV, § 4, which promises federal protection against invasion, and Article I, § 10, Clause 3, acknowledging states' sovereign interest in protecting their borders. Quoting Arizona v. United States (2012), Abbott argues that the failure of the Biden Administration to fulfill the duties imposed by Article IV, § 4 has triggered Article I, § 10, Clause 3, allowing Texas to exercise its right of self-defense.
Consequently, Governor Abbott has declared an invasion under Article I, § 10, Clause 3, invoking Texas's constitutional authority to defend and protect itself. He asserts that this authority supersedes any federal statutes to the contrary. The Texas National Guard, the Texas Department of Public Safety, and other state personnel are now mobilizing to secure the Texas border in accordance with both state law and the asserted constitutional authority.
Governor Abbott's statement paints a vivid picture of a state taking matters into its own hands due to what he perceives as a failure of the federal government to fulfill its obligations, particularly in regard to immigration enforcement and border security.
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