During the American Revolution, armies were prepared to protect families, towns, and freedom. The minuteman symbol is recognized as a symbol of strength and readiness. The descendants of the colonial Minutemen are today's National Guard. That's why the Army National Guard uses the Minuteman standing firm and holding a musket as its military logo. The National Guard has a dual role as a state governor's military, and is called into service under the direction of the President of the United States in times of national emergency.
The Texas National Guard and Air Force have proven their worth in efforts to secure the southern border. Since Operation Lone Star began on March 4, 2021, the Texas National Guard has partnered with the Texas National Guard, the Texas Department of Public Safety, and the Texas Department of Parks and Wildlife to construct over 245 miles of fencing and trap hundreds of people. was arrested. Thousands of illegal aliens have been arrested and more than 454 million pounds of fentanyl seized. This is a drug deadly enough to kill every man, woman, and child in America. These dedicated public servants demonstrate what can be done when we take protecting our country seriously. (Related: Hans von Spakovsky: Stand back, Biden — Mr. Abbott may not control the Border Patrol, but he does control the Texas National Guard)
Recent calls by liberal Democrats for President Biden to strip Texas of control of the Texas National Guard are unwise and dangerous. President Biden inherited the most secure border in decades, systematically dismantled policies aimed at reducing illegal immigration, and ended heavy-handed enforcement. Stripping Texas of its authority to command the National Guard would remove thousands of soldiers from the border and only benefit the most dangerous drug cartels on the planet.
President Biden's recklessness is endangering the lives of Americans and the very immigrants his administration is desperately trying to help. Every day in Texas, our troops encounter victims of human trafficking, sexual abuse, extortion, and violence. The Biden administration's open borders policy is morally repugnant. They lure immigrants into a deadly and dangerous Trail of Tears, controlled by violent cartels that prey on helpless individuals, resulting in heartache and tragedy. His policies harm Americans by increasing crime and exposing us to threats from dangerous gangs and even foreign nation-state enemies.
The U.S. government runs a deficit of more than $500 billion a year, but drug cartels, enabled by Biden's open borders policy, continue to commit annual cross-border crimes such as drug trafficking, human smuggling, and sex trafficking. Earning hundreds of billions of dollars in profits. Biden's open borders policy is a direct threat to national security. Illegal immigrants from countries with ties to terrorism, such as Iran, Lebanon and Syria, are frequently encountered at the southern border. These so-called “special interest foreigners” pose a special risk to the national security of the United States. Removing the National Guard from our border will allow even more of these high-risk foreign nationals to enter our country.
Texas is making an extraordinary effort to secure its borders, but the facts prove that Biden's policies will harm the country. From 2000 to 2020, approximately 7 million illegal aliens were arrested and referred to federal authorities in Texas alone. The numbers are staggering enough, but during the three years of the Biden administration from 2021 to 2023, more than 4 million arrests and referrals occurred in Texas. During Biden's term in office, an average of 1.3 million illegal aliens were arrested annually in Texas. This does not include “getaways” or escapes that we never see. When will enough be enough?
The president has a duty to protect the country and enforce the laws of the United States. Article II, Section 3 of the U.S. Constitution is known as the “Take Care Clause.” It reads, in part, that the president “shall see that the laws are faithfully executed.” I call on the President to do his duty, uphold his oath of office, and protect our borders.
Texas and the United States should be fighting cartels, not each other. Texas protects not only Texas and Texans, but also the United States. The president is not. Soon, Travis' famous letter returns to the Alamo. In 1836, Lt. Col. William B. Travis issued a plea for help “to the people of Texas and to Americans throughout the world.” Now, 188 years later, Texas is calling on all Americans to stand up for their country. Politicians should keep the interests of the American people in mind and send a loud and clear message to leaders as far away as the Capitol in Washington, D.C., to stay out of the Texas National Guard.
Dr. Dawn Buckingham Secretary of the Texas General Land Office and Chairman of the Texas Veterans Land Commission.
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