Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley said on CNN on Sunday that states do not have a constitutional right to secede from the Union, retracting previous statements.

Haley appeared on “State of the Union” to discuss comments she made on Wednesday's podcast with radio personality Charlamagne the God. CNN host Dana Bash asked Haley if she believed states could secede from the United States, referring to her earlier comments.

Haley set the context for the conversation by noting that it has to do with states resenting the government and stressing that states are not talking about seceding from the country. But Bash continued to press Haley on the topic, highlighting how the Texas Republican Party's platform calls for a “voter vote” on the state's independence. (Related: 'Let's stop arguing about stupid things': Bill Maher tells Chris Sununu that Trump's nomination is locked in)

“You know, I didn’t realize this, but the platform of the Texas Republican Party right now is; [as?] He added that he is calling for a referendum in 2022 on whether Texas should “reaffirm its status as an independent state.” Again, this is a very fundamental issue, so I want to be clear to voters: You want to be president of the United States. Do you think any state has the right to secede? ” Bash asked.

Haley responded that she does not believe states have a constitutional right to secede, but that she believes they have the “power to protect themselves.” Haley further reinforced Texas' frustration with the federal government by citing the ongoing immigration crisis. (Related: Democratic donors, Republican billionaires, Wall Street executives — who's the new tax return show for Nikki Haley's super PAC)

“No, they can't do that according to the Constitution. I think they have the right to protect themselves. Texas has been talking about secession for a long time, but the Constitution doesn't allow for that,” Haley said. Stated.

“But what I'm saying is, where does that come from? It comes from the people not believing that the government listens to them. And I think that border is 400 We've been going for miles, Dana. We see what the ranchers are going through. We see what the people of Eagle Pass are going through. And now every city is Eagle Pass. So we see what's going on in New York and in cities across the country. We have to start getting this under control. Texans are frustrated and rightfully so. Governor Abbott is frustrated. But that's understandable. Have you ever seen a president who doesn't support a governor when he's trying to keep the public safe? That's a real problem.”

haley Appeared On the podcast “The Breakfast Club”, when Charlamagne was asked if he would use force against Texas. They will try to secede from the Union over border issues. ” The Republican candidate said he believed the state had the right to secede, repeating earlier comments from 2010 that the podcaster referenced.

“If the state of Texas decides they want to do it, they can do it. If that whole state says we don't want to be part of America anymore. So that's a decision they make,” Haley said. Stated. “I don't think the government needs to tell people how to live, what to do and what to do. I mean, I think we need to keep our freedoms alive.”

Republican candidates continued to support Texas' recent policies and point to the “reality” that Texas will not secede. Movement against the federal government to protect borders.

Since the podcast interview, Haley has expanded on her comments, noting that they were aimed more at Biden and the “illegal immigration crisis” than at the seceding states. according to On Fox News.