Texas Republican Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick told Fox News on Thursday that President Joe Biden should not “interfere with Texas” on the border crisis and called on him to “stand back.”
patrick appeared on “The Ingraham Angle” to discuss the ongoing battle between the state and federal government over Texas' borders. Fox host Laura Ingraham responded to Patrick's remarks about how Biden should let states “do their jobs” by asking how the state is dealing with Border Patrol agents and other states' National Guardsmen. I asked the lieutenant governor whether he would be willing to cooperate with the government. (Related: President Trump vows to 'work together' with Governor Abbott to secure border)
“Will it be in the form of confronting Border Patrol agents who are trying to enter certain areas? Will they be putting more razor wire and other types of obstacles on the border? What exactly will they do? “Is that true?” Ingraham asked.
Patrick said both the Border Patrol and National Guard “have a lot of work to do,” but reminded viewers that the Texas border is about 1,250 miles apart and that “people everywhere” are needed. I let it happen. The lieutenant governor added that Texas is “doing its part” in securing the border and called on Biden to “step aside” from the interference.
Patrick also noted that Texas authorities are already working closely with Border Patrol agents and stressed that the president is trying to turn the crisis into a “political battle.”
“Well, there are a lot of jobs that people can do from the border. We're busy with work every day. Laura, for those who don't know that our border is longer than the distance between Atlanta and Portland, Maine. Remember, it's about 1,250 miles. So we need people everywhere,” Patrick said.
“But let me tell you what we're doing. If Joe Biden stays out of our way, we'll do our job, we'll secure our borders, we'll protect them. Let me also say a few words about border security. The Border Patrol works side by side with our citizens every day. This is how we work together. It's Joe Biden who wants to step in and tear us apart. For what reason? “
“We're doing the job at the state park. They have no reason to be there, they have 1,200 miles to cover. We're doing the job. They have no reason to be there, they have 1,200 miles to cover. We're trying to make it a fight. We're trying to protect our borders. We're trying to protect American lives under Texas law. That's what we're trying to do. And He's trying to turn it into a political fight, turn it into a fight against the state. Well, don't mess with Texas,'' Patrick continued.
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled Monday that the Biden administration may remove razor wire installed by Texas officials to slow the flow of illegal immigrants crossing the border. The Lone Star State argued that the wires reduced the number of illegal immigrants crossing the border, but the judges sided with the Department of Homeland Security, saying the wires were meant to prevent Border Patrol agents from doing their jobs. (Related: Abbott issues statement to Biden, insists Texas has authority to repel border 'invasion')
The ruling set off a chain of events between the state and the federal government, with Texas authorities refusing to remove the power lines or vacate Shelby Park. In Eagle Pass, Texas, Border Patrol agents secretly supported the state's move to seize the area after the state Department of Public Safety took control of the area away from the Border Patrol following a park claim. There was a report saying that they were in agreement, and some people said they were “completely in favor of it.'' according to to the Daily Caller News Foundation.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott, a Republican, issued a statement following his decision not to abide by the Supreme Court's ruling, saying Texas has a “constitutional right to self-defense.” Democrats have called on Biden to federalize the National Guard, and a handful of Republican governors also support the state move.
