President Joe Biden and Texas Governor Greg Abbott’s power struggle over the US southern border rages on as Abbott sends a defiant letter to Biden refusing orders from a federal agency to dismantle border constructions.
Abbott made a pledge in a September 9 letter to the Biden-Harris administration that the federal government would not be allowed to “undercut” the state’s efforts to keep the nation safe from the dangers of border crime.
Border Constructions
Following the launch of Abbott’s “Operation Lone Star” in 2021, Texas began beefing up its border defenses with tactics like razor wire fencing and floating buoys in the Rio Grande that make it harder for immigrants to cross into the country.
These constructions have been a thorn for the Biden administration, who earlier this year attempted to send federal authorities into Texas to dismantle them.
Supreme Court Ruling
In January, the Supreme Court ruled that Texas is not allowed to block federal agency efforts to remove razor wire and other border barriers put up by the state under Operation Lone Star.
However, in the intervening months, Abbott has continually found excuses like cartel activity and state land ownership as reasons to continue fortifying the border in areas like Fronton Island despite pressure from federal agencies.
Demand of Texas
In April, the US Section of the International Boundary and Water Commission (USIBWC) instructed the Texas General Land Office (GLO) to return Fronton Island to “pre-construction” conditions.
Now, Abbott has sent a September 9 letter addressed to President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris defying these federal orders.
Abbott Letter
In the letter, Abbott outlines the concern around Fronton Island, which he sees as a haven for criminal activity that necessitates his state’s actions.
“For years, the cartels were ‘running rampant’ in Fronton Island’s ‘thick vegetation’ and ‘bullet-pocked structures’ along the river to stage illegal entries, surveil state and federal law enforcement, stash weapons, plant explosives, evade apprehension, and engage in open warfare against rival cartels and against state and federal officers,” said the letter.
Invasion
Abbott sees the cartel’s activities on Fronton Island as constituting an invasion of Texas, one that he feels empowered to resist.
“As Commander-in-Chief of the military forces of this State, I determined that Texas could not ignore an ongoing invasion of its sovereign territory. Instead, on October 5, 2023, Texas responded to this threat by moving a ‘heavily armed invasion force’ onto Fronton Island to secure it against the transnational criminal cartels,” the letter said.
Repelling Criminals
The governor pledged in the letter to never allow Texas land to fall under the control of criminals and those who wish to do the state harm.
“I will not cede state land to transnational criminal cartels smuggling people, weapons, and drugs. Nor will I sit idly by as these threats endanger Texas law enforcement and Texas communities,” said the letter.
Will Not Comply
A Texas governor’s office statement expressed that Abbott and the state will not comply with demands they see as harmful to state residents and American citizens.
“The Biden-Harris Administration—through its appointee to the United States Section of the International Boundary and Water Commission—recently demanded that Texas return Fronton Island to its prior condition. Texas will not comply with President Biden and Vice President Harris’ open border policies that endanger Texans and Americans,” said the statement.
Attacking Texas
Texas 3rd District Rep. Keith Self days before the letter had echoed the sentiment that Biden’s administration had been hindering the safety of Texans.
“They sued us over buoys in the river. They tried to cut the razor wire that Governor Abbott put in…Their actions are to attack anyone that tries to secure the border under Biden-Harris,” Self said in an X post.
Statement From Abbott
In a September 9 X post, Governor Abbott reiterated his opposition to the Biden administration, and how their actions are hurting American sovereignty.
“President Biden and Vice President Harris demanded Texas return Fronton Island to the cartels. Today, I sent them a letter condemning their continued attempts to undercut Texas’ historic border security efforts,” wrote Abbott.
America First
Abbott in his letter closed with an appeal to Biden, urging him to put Americans first in his considerations around the border.
“I will, instead, continue to utilize every lawful tool to secure Texas’s border and defend its citizens. Rather than undercutting efforts to make our communities safe, you should direct the ‘United States Section’ of IBWC to start putting Americans first,” the letter said.
Debate Timing
On September 12, presidential candidates Donald Trump and Kamala Harris had their first general election debate, giving Abbott the opportunity to highlight the issue and advocate putting Americans first.
“Tonight, Kamala Harris proved that now more than ever, we need to elect President Donald Trump. He’ll put America First by delivering on his promises to make America safe, strong, & secure again,” wrote Abbott.
