A series of Republican governors threw support behind Texas Gov. Gregg Abbott's Wednesday assertion of the state's right to defend its southern border amid unprecedented illegal border crossings.
Governors from Montana, Florida, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Virgina, and Georgia expressed support for Abbott's Wednesday statement proclaiming President Joe Biden and his administration had neglected to uphold Article IV, § 4, of the United States Constitution, which notes the federal government "shall protect each [State] against invasion." Abbott cited Article I, § 10, Clause 3 of the Constitution, which acknowledges "the States' sovereign interest in protecting their borders."
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis declared his state would assist the Texas National Guard with "personnel and assets" in defense of the Lone Star State's southern border.
"If the constitution really made states powerless to defend themselves against an invasion, it wouldn't have been ratified in the first place, and Texas would have never joined the union when it did," DeSantis announced in a Wednesday evening X post.
"Texas is upholding the law while Biden is flouting it," he added.
South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem also announced her state would assist in Texas' efforts to secure their border.
"Greg Abbott is exactly right to invoke Texas' constitutional authority to defend itself," the South Dakota governor wrote. "The Biden administration has created a national security crisis and put Americans in danger."
Noem said Biden's failure to defend the nation's southern border is an "unconstitutional dereliction of duty."
"South Dakota has been proud to help Gov. Abbott’s efforts to secure our border," Noem said.
Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp similarly announced Texas would have his state's full support.
"Enough is enough," Kemp wrote. "Our southern border is in crisis thanks to the Biden administration's refusal to do their job."
Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin said, "Virginia stands with Texas."
"Greg Abbott is doing the job Joe Biden and his border czar refuse to do to secure our border," Youngkin wrote. "The Biden administration has turned every state into a border state."
"We must stop the flow of fentanyl, save lives, and secure our southern border," he added.
"Oklahoma stands with Texas," said Gov. Kevin Stitt.
Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte expressed support for Abbott earlier this week prior to the Texas governor's Wednesday statement.
"Gov. Greg Abbott is doing what the President won't," he wrote. "By refusing to act, President Biden is inviting cartels, illegal drugs, and human trafficking into the United States."
"We must secure the southern border," he said.
Speaker of the House Mike Johnson said the Republican-led House of Representatives would do "everything in its power" to assist Gov. Abbott.
Johnson also indicated the House may seek impeachment of United States Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas.
"The next step: holding Secretary Mayorkas accountable," the Speaker wrote.
Following Abbott's Wednesday's assertion of the state's right to defend itself, Texas Reps. Joaquin Castro and Greg Casar called for a federal seizure of Texas' southern border.
