Greg Abbott Ally Raises Stakes in Texas Border Showdown

A key ally of Texas Governor Greg Abbott has pledged her support for stopping an "invasion at the border" as the standoff between Texas and the Biden administration continues.

In a post on Donald Trump's online media platform Truth Social, South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem argued that Texas is "protecting [its] state sovereignty" and echoed Abbott's language of an invasion.

Republicans have been locked in a border policy dispute with the Biden administration since the president took office in January 2021. Abbott has taken measures into his own hands by installing obstacles to keep migrants from crossing the border, such as razor-wire and floating barriers with serrated discs.

Texas has so far refused to allow federal agents to cut wire in the key border area of Shelby Park in Eagle Pass, Texas. This is despite a Supreme Court ruling that border agents could cut the wire put there as part of Abbott's Operation Lone Star.

"I'm proud of Texas and the actions that they are taking," Noem said in a video. "They're protecting their state sovereignty.

"I as the the governor of South Dakota see the effects of Joe Biden ignoring federal law and allowing this invasion every single day in my home state."

She added: "The 13 original colonies would never have signed the constitution or ratified it if they didn't know they didn't have the protections to defend themselves."

Prominent Republicans have backed Abbott and his border policies, along with his assertion that Texas is facing an "invasion" and needs to protect itself. Migration and border security are set to be major issues in the 2024 election.

A total of 25 Republican governors, including Noem, have expressed support for Abbott and his policies. In a letter, governors said they "stand in solidarity" with Abbott over " utilizing every tool and strategy, including razor wire fences, to secure the border."

The statement added: "We do it in part because the Biden Administration is refusing to enforce immigration laws already on the books and is illegally allowing mass parole across America of migrants who entered our country illegally."

Abbott has said the White House has failed to prosecute "immigrants for the federal crime of illegal entry."

The Biden administration has said a backlog in the system and legal protection given to asylum seekers complicates the issue.

Asylum seekers have a right to claim asylum and protection under U.S. law, but this process can take years.

"The practical result of this growing backlog is that those deserving of protection may have to wait years for their claims to be granted, while individuals who are ultimately found not to merit protection may spend years in the United States before being issued a final order of removal," the Biden administration has argued.

Newsweek has approached the Biden administration for comment via email out of hours.

Abbott's "Invasion" Claims

Abbott has doubled down on his interpretation of the unfolding crisis on the U.S. southern border.

In a January 24 press release, Abbott 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."

Other prominent Republican lawmakers have backed Abbott and his invasion rhetoric.

In a post on X on January 25, Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds said: "When the federal government fails, states step in. Iowa sent the Iowa National Guard and State Troopers down to the border last year to stop this invasion... Iowa stands with Texas."

Texas Senator Ted Cruz said Texas has "the Constitutional authority to protect itself."

He added: "I'm proud to stand with Texas and Governor Abbott as we work to stop this invasion.

In his declaration, Abbott cited Article IV Section Four of the constitution, which says the U.S. "shall protect each [state] against Invasion."

But some legal experts have questioned Abbott's invasion declaration. New York University law lecturer Professor Peter Shane called Abbott's declaration "nonsense."

"Governors have no power to declare anything under the U.S. Constitution, nor does the Constitution give states any legal power to countermand the exercise of federal authority," Shane told Newsweek previously.

Newsweek has approached Abbott's office for comment out of hours.

Congress Deal

President Joe Biden has said a deal with Republicans in Congress is key to securing the border.

So far, the GOP and Biden administration have failed to agree on border security measures.

At the First in the Nation dinner in South Carolina, Biden said a bill "would also give me, as president, the emergency authority to shut down the border until it can get back under control."

He added: "If that bill were the law today, I'd shut down the border right now and fix it quickly."

Negotiations in the Senate have continued, but it remains to be seen if House Republicans will allow a bipartisan deal to pass.