As Texas remains locked in a legal battle with the Biden administration over the razor wire and floating buoy barrier placed in and along the Rio Grande near Eagle Pass, Republican Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick signaled the state has no intention of backing down.

What You Need To Know

  • Appearing on Fox News on Monday, Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick said the state will continue installing razor wire “everywhere we can”

  • The comments came after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled the Biden administration can cut the concertina wire Texas has placed along the U.S.-Mexico border

  • Patrick said the razor wire has been an effective deterrent to illegal border crossings, significantly reducing them near Eagle Pass

  • Critics have pointed out that the razor wire has severely injured migrants

Appearing on Fox News’ “The Story with Martha MacCallum” on Monday, Patrick said the state will continue installing razor wire at the U.S.-Mexico border.

His comments came a week after the U.S. Supreme Court permitted the Biden administration to cut the concertina wire.

“We are putting up wire, Martha, everywhere we can. We will continue. We will not stop. If they cut it, we will replace it,” Patrick said.

Texas has installed roughly 30 miles of razor wire along the banks of the Rio Grande near Shelby Park. Earlier in January, three migrants drowned in the area. Border Patrol agents at the time claimed members of the Texas National Guard prevented them from entering the park in order to aid the migrants. The razor wire has severely injured some migrants. 

At Abbott’s direction, the National Guard has prohibited Border Patrol from entering the park.

Patrick said the razor wire serves as an effective deterrent to illegal border crossings.

“We want this border secure, and in this area of Shelby Park, Martha, a few months ago, 3,000 people a day were crossing. Now it’s virtually zero crossing at that area,” he said.

Patrick said former President Donald Trump secured the southern border during the last year of his administration. He said Texas is building a wall to pick up where he left off.

“Everywhere the president, this president, Biden, moves, death comes with him. Fentanyl across the border, people drowning in the river, people killed here by MS-13 (gang), soldiers killed afar—this president is weak and in November he will be replaced by Donald Trump because the people of America have had enough,” Patrick said.

Texas continues to place wire along the riverbank in what may be seen as a defiant gesture, but is not defying the Supreme Court by doing so.

Some Democrats, including Rep. Joaquin Castro and former congressman Beto O’Rourke, have called on Biden to federalize the Texas National Guard. Biden has not indicated he has any intention of doing so.