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Texas Republican Has Some Advice for Officials in His State After Supreme Court Ruling on Razor Wire

Leah Barkoukis
Leah Barkoukis  |  January 24, 2024 8:00 AM

The Supreme Court’s temporary order on Monday allowing Border Patrol agents to continue cutting Texas' razor wire prompted backlash from many conservatives. While Texas Attorney Generl Ken Paxton emphasized that the fight isn’t over since he’ll be arguing the case before the 5th Circuit next month, others, like Tucker Carlson for example, said it confirmed that “everyone in power…has decided to destroy the country by allowing it to be invaded.” He then wondered where the “men of Texas” are and why they weren’t stepping forward to defend “their state and nation.” 

Rep. Chip Roy (R-TX) had a different idea, however: ignore the ruling.  

“They have a duty under the Constitution … and every other norm of leadership of any sovereign state, to protect your citizens, period, full stop. There is no exception to that,” Roy told Fox News Digital. “And if the Supreme Court wants to ignore that truth, which a slim majority did, Texas still had the duty, Texas leaders still have the duty, to defend their people.” 

He added: "It's like, if someone's breaking into your house, and the court says, 'Oh, sorry. You can't defend yourself.' What do you tell the court? You tell the court to go to hell, you defend yourself and then figure it out later."

Which is exactly the approach Gov. Greg Abbott appears to be taking: 

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The fight between Texas and the Biden administration in this particular case revolves around razor wire that was erected by the Texas National Guard and Texas Department of Public Safety in Eagle Pass. The Biden administration said the fencing prevented Border Patrol from reaching those who already crossed into the U.S. 

Texas sued after Border Patrol agents cut through some of the razor wire, claiming the agents had trespassed and damaged state property.

A federal judge ruled for the Biden administration, but the New Orleans-based 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals last month reversed that decision, saying agents could not cut or move the wire unless there was a medical emergency. (CNBC)

Roy also called on members of the Texas congressional delegation to block funding to the Department of Homeland Security in response.