Today, let’s delve into the latest political stir caused by Texas Governor Greg Abbott’s response to the significant shake-up at the top of the Democratic ticket. With President Joe Biden stepping down and endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democratic presidential candidate, Abbott has taken to social media to announce plans to further intensify border security measures.
Abbott’s reaction came swiftly on the platform X, formerly known as Twitter. He remarked, “Joe Biden has now endorsed and fully supports his ‘Borders Czar’ Kamala Harris to be the Democrat candidate for president.
I think I will need to triple the border wall, razor wire barriers, and National Guard on the border.” This statement underscores his longstanding commitment to bolstering Texas’s southern border security, a stance that has frequently placed him at odds with federal authorities.
It’s important to note that the label of “border czar” often attributed to Harris by her critics is inaccurate. While she has been involved in addressing the root causes of migration, particularly from Central America, she has not held a specific title as “border czar.”
Joe Biden has now endorsed and fully supports his “Borders Czar” Kamala Harris to be the Democrat candidate for president.
I think I will need to triple the border wall, razor wire barriers and National Guard on the border. https://t.co/1FYhuOP3vX
— Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) July 21, 2024
Since launching a campaign to ramp up border enforcement in 2021, Abbott’s administration has allocated over $11 billion for various security measures, including razor wire, base construction, and transporting migrants to northern cities. Additionally, state lawmakers approved another $5 billion last session to continue these efforts.
Despite these extensive measures, it’s worth mentioning that migration flows have decreased and are currently at a three-year low according to CBS reports. Furthermore, immigrants significantly contribute to Texas’s economy, adding $34 billion annually as highlighted by Juan Carlos Cerda of the American Business Immigration Coalition.
Abbott’s latest comments reflect a broader conservative criticism of Harris’s handling of immigration. This criticism is not confined to the right; progressives also criticized Harris for her 2021 speech discouraging potential migrants from making the dangerous journey to the U.S.-Mexico border.
Amid these political maneuvers, Texas state leaders have spun a narrative suggesting that Biden was pushed out by his own party to pave the way for a more pliable candidate. Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick echoed this theory on X, claiming that former President Obama orchestrated Biden’s exit to secure a fourth term through either Michelle Obama or Kamala Harris. Patrick’s assertions lack evidence and have been dismissed by many as baseless conspiracy theories.
These developments come as Texas Republicans gear up to defend Senator Ted Cruz against a strong Democratic challenge from Dallas congressman and former NFL player Rep. Colin Allred. Allred has been a formidable fundraiser, outpacing Cruz in the second quarter of 2024 with $10.5 million compared to Cruz’s $7.9 million, although Cruz still holds a financial advantage and a 6-point lead in the polls.
