Republican governors across the US have revolted against Biden by backing Texas in an escalating conflict over immigration, with a new map showing the states that have turned red.
The officials have voiced their support for Texas Governor Greg Abbott, who is embroiled in an ongoing dispute with Biden on how to best control the influx of migrants that are crossing his state’s border daily.
Abbott instructed state troopers to install a long stretch of concertina razor wire along the Rio Grande River, near the border city of Eagle Pass.
The move has been slammed by the Biden administration, who said that it could harm migrants who are trying to cross.
US states have turned their backs on Biden's immigration policies
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They also said it could slow down Border Patrol agents from being able to easily access migrants once they enter the US.
The Biden administration has fought back against the installation of the wire, asking the Supreme Court to allow Border Patrol agents to cut down the razor wire installed on the US-Mexico border.
The Supreme Court ruled in the US government’s favour on Monday, but Abbott has retaliated by installing even more wire, encouraging civilians to install it on their private property, with the Texas governor saying the state had a “right to self-defence”.
“Americans expect the border to be secured. Because Joe Biden has abandoned that responsibility, Texas is stepping up,” he told Fox News today.
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Six different governors from Republican states have publicly supported Abbott
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In a statement released today, the Republican governor said: “I have already declared an invasion under Article I, § 10, Clause 3 to invoke Texas's constitutional authority to defend and protect itself. That authority is the supreme law of the land and supersedes any federal statutes to the contrary.”
Abbott’s declaration prompted the governors of Florida, Georgia, Montana, Oklahoma, South Dakota and Virginia to publicly support him, with a new map released by Right Angle News Network showing the states on the side of Texas.
Florida Governor pledged his allegiance to Texas during the crisis. He said: “If the Constitution really made states powerless to defend themselves against an invasion, it wouldn’t have been ratified in the first place and Texas would have never joined the union when it did.
“TX is upholding the law while Biden is flouting it. FL will keep assisting Texas with personnel and assets.”
Texas Governor Greg Abbott has frequently clash with Biden over the migrant crisisReuters
Razor and concertina wire was installed by the Texas National GuardReutersMeanwhile, South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem also promised to give assistance, stating that Texas had a right to defend itself.
“[Abbott] is exactly right to invoke Texas’ constitutional authority to defend itself. The Biden Administration has created a national security crisis and put Americans in danger. Their failure is an unconstitutional dereliction of duty,” she wrote on social media.
Elsewhere, Georgia governor Brian Kemp said that Abbott has his “full support”.
“Enough is enough. Our southern border is in crisis thanks to the Biden administration's refusal to do their job,” he wrote on social media.
Oklahoma governor Kevin Stitt, Virginia governor Glenn Youngkin, and Montana governor Greg Gianforte also all voiced their support online.