Border patrol council endorses Gov. Abbott on reelection campaign

EDINBURG, Texas – On Jan. 11, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott attended the National Border Patrol Council in Edinburg, Texas, where he discussed his policies for the future, including border security. 

In his opening remarks, the National Border Patrol Council’s President Brandon Judd commended the work the governor has done for Texas during his almost seven-year-term. 

“He’s doing what the federal government has refused to do,” Judd said. 

Judd then officially endorsed Abbott for his reelection bid on behalf of the National Border Patrol Council.

When he spoke, Abbott wasted no time speaking on the border crisis in the Rio Grande Valley. 

“The chaos and crisis at the border, caused by the Biden administration’s upper border policies, makes the border one of the most important issues facing the state of Texas at this time,” Abbott said.

As the governor spoke on border issues, he continuously criticized the Biden administration and its failure to improve things at the border. Abbott described the Biden administration as having “one hand tied behind their back.”

Abbott said that as a result of the lack of attention the Biden Administration has provided to the border, it was necessary for the state of Texas to work closely with the Border Patrol.

This includes “the state of Texas using $3 billion of Texas taxpayer funding for Texas, to work to assist to secure the border,” the governor said.

Abbott said that his plan also included “15 laws that [he] signed just this past [Congressional] session, to crack down on the heinous crime of human trafficking…” The governor did not go into further details about what the 15 laws were. 

He also thanked all of the agents who have risked their lives for the safety of Texas. 

“I do want to express my gratitude…for the job these [U.S. Border Patrol agents] do every single day,” he said. 

After his speech, Abbott answered a few questions from people in the audience. Someone asked Abbott about the legalization of marijuana in Texas. 

The governor said, “Prison and jail is a place for dangerous criminals who may harm others, and small possessions of marijuana is not the type of violation we want to stockpile jails with.”

Another person asked how Abbott planned to deal with U.S. Border Patrol agents who refused to take the vaccine, and as a result, lost their jobs. 

He responded that, “If any[one] ever loses their job because they do not want to comply with a vaccine mandate by the Biden administration, I as governor of Texas, would be proud to hire them to assist Texas for Texas to secure the border.” 

Gov. Greg Abbot also visited McAllen, Texas, where he announced he was running for office for the third time. The elections will be on Nov. 8.