Austin News

Governor Greg Abbott of Texas has released a statement regarding the state's constitutional right to self-defense amidst President Joe Biden's alleged failure to secure the border. In the statement, Governor Abbott emphasizes the constitutional duty of the Executive Branch to enforce federal laws that protect states, including immigration laws. He accuses President Biden of instructing his agencies to ignore these federal statutes, particularly those related to the detention of illegal immigrants.

Governor Abbott asserts that the failure of the Biden Administration to fulfill its duties has triggered Article I, § 10, Clause 3 of the Constitution, which reserves to Texas the right of self-defense. As a result, Governor Abbott has declared an invasion under this constitutional authority, stating that it supersedes any federal statutes to the contrary.

Governor Abbott's statement reads as follows: "The Executive Branch of the United States has a constitutional duty to enforce federal laws protecting States, including immigration laws on the books right now. President Biden has instructed his agencies to ignore federal statutes that mandate the detention of illegal immigrants. The failure of the Biden Administration to fulfill the duties imposed by Article IV, § 4 has triggered Article I, § 10, Clause 3, which reserves to this State the right of self-defense. For these reasons, 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."

Governor Abbott's statement asserts Texas' commitment to defending and protecting itself in the face of what he perceives as a failure on the part of the federal government to uphold its responsibilities. The governor's declaration highlights the significance of the state's constitutional right to self-defense and its authority to take action when necessary.

For more information, the full statement from Governor Abbott can be found on the official website of the Office of the Texas Governor.