AUSTIN, Texas — Gov. Greg Abbott threatened to increase state operations at the border after President Joe Biden withdrew from the presidential race and endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris.
In a series of posts to his X account, formerly Twitter, on Sunday, Gov. Abbott said, “if Biden is unfit to run for the presidency, then he’s unfit to run the presidency.” He also targeted Harris, referring to her as the “border czar,” though Harris was never appointed border czar or put in charge of the border.
In an interview on Spectrum News on Monday, Gov. Abbott doubled down on his criticism.
“She’s shown Americans what she would do on the border and that’s absolutely nothing. As bad as the border is under Joe Biden, it could possibly be even worse under Kamala Harris,” said Abbott.
While migration flows surged through 2023, June had the lowest monthly totals of illegal crossings since 2021. In early June, Biden used presidential authority to impose asylum restrictions. Mexico has also ramped up enforcement efforts.
Gov. Abbott also weighed in on how the shakeup at the top of the Democratic ticket could affect down-ballot candidates in Texas.
“There’s an old saying in politics and that is ‘complacency kills,’” Abbott said, adding that he’s seen polling showing Harris unfavorable to Texans. “There will be a lack of enthusiasm by Democrats to turn out for her because of the policies she stood for, which are antagonistic to Texas.”
Gov. Abbott also weighed in on a potential cabinet position if Donald Trump were to win and the fallout after Hurricane Beryl.
Click the video link above to watch our full interview.