OPINION: This article may contain commentary which reflects the author's opinion.
Former President Donald Trump has called on “willing” states to deploy their National Guard to Texas to assist Gov. Greg Abbott in dealing with the ongoing “invasion” of illegal immigrants amid a Biden administration deadline to cease and desist.
On his Truth Social platform, the leading GOP presidential contender called on “willing states to deploy their [national guard] to Texas to prevent the entry” of illegal immigrants.
Trump’s call comes in response to Texas Gov. Greg Abbott declaring an “invasion” of his state and invoking his right to “self-defense” under Article I of the U.S. Constitution.
“When I was President, we had the most secure Border in History. Joe Biden has surrendered our Border, and is aiding and abetting a massive Invasion of millions of Illegal Migrants into the United States,” Trump wrote on Thursday.
“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. 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,” he continued.
“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 added. “All Americans should support the commonsense measures by Texas authorities to protect the Safety, Security, and Sovereignty of Texas, and of the American people.
“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,” Trump pledged.
Others slapped down congressional Democrats and some Republicans who want to link tougher border security with funding for Ukraine’s war against Russia, as well as Taiwan and Israel.
“Democrats want to tie the security of the US border to funding a war in Ukraine, which is absolutely a ridiculous concept,” Post Millennial Editor-in-Chief Libby Emmons told Newsmax TV.
TPM's @LibbyEmmons: "Democrats want to tie the security of the US border to funding a war in Ukraine, which is absolutely a ridiculous concept" pic.twitter.com/SWTPZ7vl6d
— The Post Millennial (@TPostMillennial) January 25, 2024
She noted that border security was much better under Trump after he managed to win several court battles and implement his policies.
“What we need to see is a stop to the illegal immigration. We need to put a stop to the border infiltration, to this invasion. And anybody who came in here illegally since 2021 and was given a court date some five years into the future to determine, as DHS said, that they likely will not be eligible for asylum or refugee status, should simply be deported,” she said.
Abbott said earlier this week that his administration will continue to defy the Biden White House and step up enforcement actions against migrants who cross into the state illegally, accusing the president of failing to fulfill his constitutional duty to execute border security and immigration laws faithfully.
In a two-week dispute between the state and federal governments over the jurisdiction of a 2.5-mile stretch of Texas land, Abbott made a defiant statement on Wednesday afternoon, openly opposing the Biden administration’s directives to cease action.
Abbott asserted in a public letter that Texas possesses a “constitutional right to self-defense,” emphasizing that the White House had not fulfilled its obligation under the nation’s founding document to ensure that the federal government will protect all 50 states and territories by not taking measures to control the surge of unauthorized immigrants over the previous three years, the Washington Examiner reported.
“The Executive Branch of the United States has a constitutional duty to enforce federal laws protecting states, including immigration laws on the books right now. President Biden has refused to enforce those laws and has even violated them,” Abbott wrote.
My statement on Texas’ constitutional right to self-defense. pic.twitter.com/seNFZdmujP
— Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) January 24, 2024
