Tensions between authorities in Texas and the federal government over illegal immigration across the southern border are a "powder keg" according to Oklahoma's Republican Governor Kevin Stitt, who was asked about the danger of "a force-on-force conflict" between state and federal forces,
Newsweek 90 reports.
On Monday the Supreme Court ruled federal agents could remove razor-wire from the Texas-Mexico border which had been put in place by state authorities, including the Texas National Guard. This sparked a furious response from Governor Greg Abbott who on Wednesday released a letter invoking "Texas's constitutional authority to defend and protect itself" against what he termed as a migrant "invasion" of the Lone Star State. Two Democratic Congressmen from Texas have suggested President Joe Biden could federalize the Texas National Guard, removing them from Abbott's control.
In a statement released on Thursday, 25 Republican governors, including Stitt, expressed "solidarity" with Abbott adding: "Texas has a constitutional right to defend itself and the nation."
Stitt appeared on conservative leaning network Newsmax on Thursday, where host Carl Higbie asked whether there could be a standoff between federal and state authorities if Biden moves to federalize the Texas National Guard.
