Conversation

If you’re unfamiliar with what’s happening in Eagle Pass, Texas, here’s a breakdown:

This week, the Supreme Court sided with federal agents to remove razor-wire put in place by Texas along the Rio Grande. The state is using wire and state agents to block Border Patrol from accessing a section of the border in Eagle Pass. Biden gave a 24hr deadline yesterday to let border patrol in, and the Department of Homeland Security sent a letter to the Texas AG demanding that Texas National Guard troops allow Federal personnel into the area of Shelby Park by this Friday. Abbott already doubled down by having national guard reinforce the border with more razor-wire fencing, and national guard from at least 10 other states have already been deployed to reinforce Shelby Park.

Members of the far-right and right-wing anti government militias are using inflammatory rhetoric and conspiracies to justify more violence at the border. They are saying that there is an “invasion” at the border and thus pledging their allegiance to stand with Abbott- many of which who are planning on getting to Eagle Pass by February 3rd to “defend the border.” These militias are armed and have expressed their readiness to battle if it gets to that with the feds.

Republicans have opted out of negotiations concerning border issues. There is a high probability that this is a strategy to undermine Biden reelection, whilst simultaneously using it as a political platform for Trump. Yesterday, the 25th republican governor issued a joint statement in support of Texas, making every republican governor and half of the states in this country officially siding with Texas.