Texas Governor Gregg Abbott’s deputy has insisted his state has the right to defend America as he faced challenges over whether the standoff with the White House could plunge the country into civil war.
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick urged Joe Biden to de-escalate the standoff between federal immigration officials and the Texas National Guard, which is facing an “invasion” of migrants crossing the southern border.
The two sides are battling in court over the state’s recent seizure of Shelby Park near Eagle Pass, the removal of razor wire built by Texas and the installation of buoys in the Rio Grande.
Fox News anchor Maria Bartiromo demanded to know where the dispute is going when she challenged Patrick on Sunday Morning Futures.
“How is this going to turn into a civil war? I mean, you have Texas rights versus federal rights, and both sides have guns?”
Fox anchor Maria Bartiromo asked Texas Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick about the prospect of a ‘civil war’ if the border standoff escalates
Texas has continued to fortify its border with razor wire despite last week’s Supreme Court decision to allow federal agents to remove it
The measures have done little to stem the flow of migrants, which surpassed the 300,000 mark last month
“We have the right to defend our citizens,” Patrick replied, “we have the right to defend this country. And we just do our job.
“These young men and women who serve our National Guard and our DPS, they are the best of the best. Why would he want to send someone down to confront them?’
It came days after the Supreme Court ruled in the government’s favor by granting an emergency appeal to allow officers to continue cutting the razor wire set up by Texas, overturning a lower court’s decision was destroyed.
But Texas has continued to fortify the border and has signaled its refusal to comply with the administration’s request to vacate the Shelby Park area.
Border agents claim the razor wire hinders their ability to safely apprehend undocumented migrants.
But the U.S. Border Patrol said last week that there are currently “no plans” to dismantle the razor wire.
It came as Republicans in the House of Representatives unveiled two articles of impeachment against Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas over his failure to secure the border.
Mayorkas has been accused of “deliberate and systematic refusal to comply with the law” as hundreds of migrants continue to flow into the US every day.
Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas (right) and President Joe Biden face an impeachment vote in the House of Representatives over his handling of the border crisis
Immigrants from Venezuela pass Texas National Guard soldiers after crossing the Rio Grande into the United States on January 8 in Eagle Pass, Texas
Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., has said the House will move forward with a vote as soon as possible.
Passage only requires a majority in the House of Representatives. The Senate would hold a trial, and a conviction would require a two-thirds majority, an extremely unlikely outcome in the Democratic-led Senate.
Democrats say Republicans have conducted a sham impeachment trial against Mayorkas and that they do not have the constitutional grounds to impeach the secretary.
Meanwhile, several Republican governors have expressed support for continuing the standoff between the state and the federal government in Texas.
“When I say it’s an invasion, it’s an invasion,” Patrick said.
‘It’s a cartel army. You know, the founders never dreamed that we would have a president like this who would just open the door to everyone.
“And they said, well, invasion if an army comes. Well, we’re up against an army. We are facing an army, but they are well armed. They are well matched.
“Don’t mess with Texas. We are serious about securing our border.
“And I’m glad the president resigned on Friday and didn’t confront us. That would be wrong. We don’t want confrontation and they shouldn’t want confrontation either. ‘Well, we’re just doing our job. Let’s do our job.’
The Biden administration claims Texas is obstructing federal immigration enforcement.
A spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said this week: “Immigration enforcement is a federal responsibility.
“Rather than help reduce irregular migration, the State of Texas has only made it harder for frontline workers to do their jobs and enforce the law’s consequences.
“We can enforce and enforce our laws in a safe, humane and orderly manner.”
But a senior CBP official told Fox News that the relationship between Texas and Border Patrol officials on the ground remains “strong.”
“While this matter is playing out in court, the relationship between Border Patrol, Texas DPS (Department of Public Safety) and TMD (Texas Military Dept.) remains strong,” the official added.
As seen from an aerial photo, immigrants climb through barbed wire after crossing the Rio Grande from Mexico in Eagle Pass, Texas, on December 18
“Our focus is and always will be the mission to protect this country and its people. We will continue to work with these valuable partners locally in that endeavor.”
“In short, Border Patrol has no plans to remove the infrastructure (c-wire) that Texas has placed along the border.
‘Our attitude remains the same. If we need to enter an area for emergency response, we will do so. If that happens, we will work with Texas DPS & TMD.”