Is Abbott's Building A Military Base To Facilitate Trump's Mass Deportation Plan?
The Abbott-Trump Doctrine: Redefining border security at what cost?
Yesterday, Governor Greg Abbott announced he would build a base camp in Eagle Pass to facilitate up to 1,800 - 2,300 National Guards. Abbott said it’s meant to improve the National Guard’s quality of life and save Texas money.
Texas taxpayers have spent over $12 billion on Abbott’s border stunts in the last three years, none of which have impacted migration flow.
Yet, the border lies have continued. Republicans call immigration an invasion, and they call every immigrant “illegal.” Then, they take money that comes from the pockets of hard-working Texans to throw away on political stunts that fuel extremists and have cost people their lives.
Texans should be angry that our tax dollars are being thrown away like this. Texans should be angry that our government is working for the TV cameras instead of the people. And Texans should be angry at this latest stunt, as this base could quickly rack up another several hundred million more dollars at taxpayer expense.
Now, Texans should be concerned about the implications of Abbott’s new military base in conjunction with Trump’s new mass deportation plans.
Check out this PBS segment, which outlines Trump’s announcement along with details of the plan earlier this year from Stephen Miller (six minutes long):
Trump’s plans to enact the Insurrection Act and turn the National Guard into Immigration Enforcement Officers.
According to Stephen Miller, the plan is to go to red state governors (like Greg Abbott) and get them to give the National Guard to Trump, who will then deputize them as Immigration Enforcement Officers. Then, they will arrest and deport all of the migrants in Texas and then go into the blue states and arrest the migrants there.
While Stephen Miller referred to them as “illegal” or undocumented immigrants, I referred to them as migrants because the scope will grow. Trump has repeatedly vowed to end “birthright citizenship,” putting a target squarely on the backs of first-generation Americans. If first-generation Americans are at risk, legal immigrants will be as well.
How will Trump take control of the National Guard?
Several weeks ago, Trump vowed to be a dictator on day one of re-election. On top of that, according to The Washington Post back in November, Trump plans on the first day of his new administration to invoke the Insurrection Act so he can dispatch the military to counter any demonstrations that might resist his policies.
In the PBS segment, Joseph Nunn with the Brennan Center for Justice outlines how, by using the Insurrection Act, Trump could federalize the National Guard to carry out his mass deportation plan.
So, why should we be concerned about Abbott’s military base?
Trump’s mass deportation plans, if carried out, would fundamentally change almost every single community in Texas. This military base in Eagle Pass will be used as a staging ground for a mass deportation force and would be a profound misuse of the Texas National Guard.
Of course, all of this hinges on Trump winning the election, but that’s what all of these border stunts are about. That’s why Trump told Republicans in Congress to kill the Senate border deal. Republicans have put all of their eggs in the Trump basket, and they are counting on him winning in November.
Is Abbott’s intention to train and house a military force for such purposes from day one of a new presidency to misalign the Guard’s intended role of service and protection with aggressive immigration enforcement?
This militarization of immigration policy not only diverts the National Guard from their primary duties but also raises significant ethical concerns. It further damages the trust and cohesion within diverse Texas communities and will lead to widespread fear.
Flipping the Texas House in November is the quickest way to shut Abbott down.
If Democrats gain control of the Texas House, they can end Operation Lone Star and stomp out Greg Abbott’s reckless spending on political stunts on the border.
Voting against Republicans in November is crucial to making this happen, not only on the federal ticket but up and down the ballot. The consequences of political inaction in 2024 would devastate millions of Texas families.
It’s time for Texans to get to work and mobilize every voter who doesn’t want to see a fascist takeover. We have to defeat Trump, and we have to flip the Texas House. This year may be democracy’s last chance.
Important 2024 primary election days:
February 20, 204: First Day of Early Voting.
February 23, 2024: Last Day to Apply for Ballot by Mail.
March 1, 2024: Last Day of Early Voting.
March 5, 2024: Election Day!
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I polled 3 contractors who bid on my hail damaged roof. I asked if they were MAGA? they all said that they weren't ....surprise....and that the proposed treatment of illegals would directly impact their business. When these storms hit, and that is often.....maybe on average a $500m to $1B a year.............there is no way in hell any citizen of any color would get on a Texas summer on a scalding hot roof for $15/hour. Meaning: take away immirgant labor and the price of reroof would go up 25% to 50% That likely mean exhorbitant rates to home owners or insurance companies leaving the market like Florida or both.
Whatever the border camp costs its got to be 100% more costly to humanely house these immigrants. BUUUUUT its not really for the Texas National Guard....its for us in opposition to the near dictatorial power of GOOPER's in Texas.*
Cruelty is definately the name of the game. One more reason never to elect a Catholic to anything.............Abott is Catholic and his intreptation of his religion is cruelty x 10. Goldman is complicit with Abott......Didn't Jews in Poland and Germany have some problems with state edicts Herr Goldman?.....He wants to join Trump's MAGA America with Stephen Miller playing the part of Goebbels.....8
Terrific analysis, Michelle! And thanks for always reminding us that we have the power to change things -- VOTE!