Tucker Carlson Challenges Abbott Over Border Inaction

Last Sunday, Tucker Carlson took aim at Republican Texas Gov. Greg Abbott’s approach to border security, accusing him of betraying the core principles of the GOP and the American people. The remarks were made during an event sponsored by the Brighter Michigan PAC in Utica, Michigan, and focused on what Carlson perceives as half-measures toward border security by Abbott.

Carlson has a point. The Lone Star State’s leader has indeed made some efforts to secure the border. His Operation Lone Star, a multibillion-dollar initiative, notably includes a 1,000-foot floating barrier of bright orange buoys on the Rio Grande, a hotspot for illegal crossings. But the effort has been marred by criticism from Mexican authorities and a legal challenge from the Justice Department, which resulted in a federal judge ruling that Texas must move the barrier.

It begs the question: Are these efforts enough? Carlson argues they aren’t. “How many Texans do you think are all on board with letting 7 million people cross into their state illegally?” he asked. “What percentage? Zero. I don’t care what your race or national origin — nobody is for that. Has the governor of Texas done anything meaningful to stop it? No.”

The commentator pointed out that Texas has a National Guard under Abbott’s command. “He’s got a National Guard. He’s commander-in-chief of the National Guard and it’s Texas, so they’re all large and they have double-stack magazines in their sidearms,” said Carlson. “You think they couldn’t stop that in a week if they — of course. Just assemble along the border. ‘We’re not, we’re not doing this.’”

The problem, Carlson contends, is not the lack of resources or options but a lack of will motivated by the interests of big donors. “I’ve suggested it to him three times, including in private at a cocktail party in Dallas last year,” Carlson recalled. “‘What are you doing, man? Don’t you have a National Guard? Why don’t you seal the border?’”

Abbott responded that the situation was “complicated.” However, Carlson asserts that the governor’s inaction is “more dishonest than that.” According to Carlson, Abbott “doesn’t want to do it because your donors don’t want you to do it.”

Carlson’s frustration echoes a sentiment felt by many conservatives who believe that the leadership is veering away from principles and yielding to special interests. “It’s not just frustrating. It’s a betrayal of the core promise of the country, which is the people rule. That’s a criminal act,” said Carlson. This sentiment comes as Abbott posted on the X platform, formerly known as Twitter, that the “Texas National Guard continues to turn back illegal immigrants attempting to cross the border.”

The issue of border security transcends party lines; it’s an American issue that pertains to sovereignty and national security. Carlson’s accusations against Abbott are a wake-up call to Republican leadership and politicians of all stripes: get serious about border security, or face the consequences. At a time when Americans are demanding a more robust border policy, political lip service and half-measures won’t cut it.