2024: Republican Governors United for Texas Border Security
A Resounding Statement of Support
In a bold display of solidarity, 24 Republican governors, spearheaded by Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds, issued a resounding joint statement on March 8, 2024, firmly expressing their unwavering support for Texas Governor Greg Abbott’s determined efforts to secure the southern border and safeguard American citizens from the escalating threats of illegal immigration, drug trafficking, and terrorism.
Unwavering Commitment to Border Security
The statement, a powerful testament to the governors’ unwavering commitment to border security, serves as a stark reminder of the states’ inherent constitutional right to self-defense and their unwavering duty to protect their citizens, especially in the face of federal inaction and neglect.
Condemning Federal Dereliction of Duty
The statement opens with a pointed condemnation of the Biden administration’s glaring failure to uphold the rule of law and effectively secure the border. It accuses the administration of actively attacking and pursuing legal action against Texas for taking necessary steps to protect its citizens from the dire consequences of unchecked illegal immigration.
The governors emphasize that the Biden administration’s actions have left Americans and the nation vulnerable to unprecedented levels of illegal immigration, a surge in the influx of deadly drugs like fentanyl, and the heightened potential for terrorist infiltration. They argue that the administration’s refusal to enforce existing immigration laws and its policy of mass parole for illegal immigrants have exacerbated the situation, leading to a full-blown crisis.
Invoking Constitutional Authority
In response to the federal government’s blatant abdication of its constitutional responsibilities, the governors assert that states have an inherent right to self-defense under Article 4, Section 4, and Article 1, Section 10, Clause 3 of the U.S. Constitution. They contend that Texas, in particular, has every legal justification to protect the sovereignty of its state and the nation as a whole.
The statement specifically mentions Texas’ utilization of razor wire fences as a necessary measure to secure the border, arguing that such measures are justified given the Biden administration’s refusal to enforce immigration laws and its failure to address the humanitarian crisis at the border.
A Call for Unity and Action
The joint statement concludes with a passionate call for unity among the states and a resolute demand for the Biden administration to fulfill its constitutional duties. The governors express their unwavering determination to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Governor Abbott and the State of Texas in their unwavering efforts to protect the border and ensure the safety and security of American citizens.
Signatories to the Statement
The statement was signed by the following 24 Republican governors:
* Governor Kay Ivey (AL)
* Governor Mike Dunleavy (AK)
* Governor Sarah Sanders (AR)
* Governor Ron DeSantis (FL)
* Governor Brian Kemp (GA)
* Governor Brad Little (ID)
* Governor Eric Holcomb (IN)
* Governor Jeff Landry (LA)
* Governor Tate Reeves (MS)
* Governor Mike Parson (MO)
* Governor Greg Gianforte (MT)
* Governor Jim Pillen (NE)
* Governor Joe Lombardo (NV)
* Governor Chris Sununu (NH)
* Governor Doug Burgum (ND)
* Governor Mike DeWine (OH)
* Governor Kevin Stitt (OK)
* Governor Henry McMaster (SC)
* Governor Kristi Noem (SD)
* Governor Bill Lee (TN)
* Governor Spencer Cox (UT)
* Governor Glenn Youngkin (VA)
* Governor Jim Justice (WV)
* Governor Mark Gordon (WY)
A Reflection of Growing Frustration
The joint statement issued by the 24 Republican governors is a stark reflection of the growing frustration among states over the Biden administration’s handling of the border crisis. The governors’ assertion of their constitutional right to self-defense signals a potential shift in the balance of power between the federal government and the states.
The statement also highlights the deepening partisan divide in the United States, with Republican-led states taking a more confrontational approach to border security and immigration issues. It remains to be seen how the Biden administration will respond to this challenge to its authority and whether it will lead to further legal battles and political conflict.