Biden Demands Texas Allow Feds Access to Southern Border Per Supreme Court

As an increasing number of Republican officials encourage Texas to defy the federal government, President Biden has demanded that the Lonestar State allow federal agents to access the southern border.

On Wednesday, an attorney from the Department of Homeland Security—the executive branch department ultimately responsible for border security—sent a letter to Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton demanding access to the Shelby Park area near Eagle Pass, TX. 

The letter gave a deadline of Friday, January 26th, for compliance or, if not, response.

The escalating tension between Republican Governor Greg Abbott of Texas and the Biden administration has been met with calls to action by allies of both sides. 

On the one hand, Republican Governors of 25 states have expressed public support for Abbott. Some have even pledged to reinforce Texas with troops from their own National Guard divisions. 

Numerous Republican officials and leaders, from Senators Ted Cruz and Josh Haley to Speaker Mike Johnson to Donald Trump, have also actively encouraged Abbott to resist the Biden administration.

On the other hand, some Democratic officials like Texas Congressman Joaquin Castro have urged President Biden to federalize the Texas National Guard. 

National Guard divisions occupy a unique dual role. Though they typically serve under the command of their state governor, they may also be—and have been in the past—federalized by the president. 

Unlike the Republicans, Democrats have also had some high profile dissent: Congressman Jared Moskowitz of Florida publicly stated Biden should not federalize the Texas National Guard, though he did not make an alternative suggestion.