Texas Governor Greg Abbott joked about building a wall along the state's border with Oklahoma in a bid to stop what he termed the "radical woke left agenda... criss-crossing the United States" at a campaign event on February 15.
The Context
Tensions over illegal immigration from Mexico to Texas have surged over the past few weeks, with the Supreme Court ruling on January 22 that federal agents can remove razor wire installed at points along the border on Abbott's orders.
This move sparked a furious response from Abbott who claimed the Lone Star State was facing an "invasion" and invoked its "constitutional authority to defend and protect itself." The move received widespread conservative backing, with 25 other Republican governors writing a joint letter in support of Abbott whilst Donald Trump urged them to send their own national guard troops to support the Texan authorities.
What We Know
Abbott made his remarks at a rally in Lumberton held to support Janis Holt, a Republican who is running for a seat in the Texas House of Representatives.
Addressing her supporters, the Texas governor said: "There are challenges that we face in this state that are sweeping across the country, including this radical woke left agenda that we see criss-crossing the United States and even coming across the border of the Red River.
"I'll get around to talking about the border but some people say; 'Abbott you need to build a border wall on the border with Oklahoma to stop all this stuff from coming in.'"
Abbott's remark sparked widespread laughter from those who had gathered to hear the governor speak.
The Red River forms part of the border between Texas and Oklahoma, another Republican controlled state. Both chambers of the Oklahoma legislature have solid GOP majorities and the state's governor, Kevin Stitt, is a Republican.
Newsweek has contacted Abbott's press office by email asking why he sees a particular danger coming from conservative dominated Oklahoma.
What's Next?
Whilst there is no serious proposal to build a wall between Texas and Oklahoma, tensions over the Texan-Mexican border remain high. On Tuesday, Missouri's Republican Governor Mike Parson announced he was sending 200 of the state's National Guard soldiers, along with 22 of its Highway Patrol troopers, to help secure the border.
Speaking at a press conference, he said: "The crisis at the Southern Border is fueling the fentanyl crisis here in our state. Missourians are dying, families are being ripped apart, communities are being destroyed, and Missouri children are falling victim. It all stems from the Biden administration's reckless, irresponsible, and failing open-border policies. With our southern border wide open, every state is now a border state.
"President Biden and the federal government must step up to stop illegal entry into our nation, to stop the free flow of fentanyl into our communities, and combat the rise of human trafficking, but we've waited long enough. Missouri will act by deploying our own resources to secure our nation's border."
A number of GOP controlled states have already either announced they are sending National Guard troops to the Texas border or are considering doing so.
Uncommon Knowledge
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
About the writer
James Bickerton is a Newsweek U.S. News reporter based in London, U.K. His focus is covering U.S. politics and world ... Read more
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