US governors back Texas right to 'self-defense' amid border 'invasion' after SCOTUS sides with Biden

Texas Gov. Gregg Abbott released a statement declaring Texas' "right to self-defense" on Wednesday after the Supreme Court decided to uphold Biden's request to take down extra security measures at the southern border, prompting many state governors to back Texas' decision. Outspoken X owner Elon Musk also backed Texas.

The statement from the Texas governor said that Texas as a state will use its "right to self-defense" Artice 1, Section 10, Clause 3 of the Constitution.  

X, SpaceX and Tesla owner Elon Musk replied to Abbott, saying, "Texas is absolutely right. This administration is deliberately breaking the law by aiding and abetting illegal immigration at an unprecedented scale!" 

As of Thursday morning, a slew of state governors have posted statements to X in support of Texas' decision.  

Utah Gov. Spencer Cox released a statement saying, "The border is a disaster that continues to spiral out of control, both in terms of people and deadly fentanyl traffic. This is not a partisan issue. This is a national security issue." 

"Utah thanks Texas and Gov. Abbott for stepping up where the Biden Administration has failed over and over again," the Utah governor continued. 

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis also supported the decision, posting, "If the Constitution really made states powerless to defend themselves against an invasion, it wouldn’t have been ratified in the first place and Texas would have never joined the union when it did." 

"TX is upholding the law while Biden is flouting it. FL will keep assisting Texas with personnel and assets," DeSantis continued.  

Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey also posted to the platform, "Texas and the states have stepped up time and time again. The White House? Purposely absent. I have had enough. Texas, you can count on Alabama to have your back." 

The Governor of South Dakota Kristi Noem also posted, "[Gregg Abbott] is exactly right to invoke Texas’ constitutional authority to defend itself." 

"The Biden Administration has created a national security crisis and put Americans in danger. Their failure is an unconstitutional dereliction of duty. South Dakota has been proud to help Gov. Abbott’s efforts to secure our border." 

Joining the list of state governors, West Virgina Gov. Jim Justice wrote in a post, "We have a terrible crisis at the Southern Border. The Biden Administration has turned every state into a border state. We must stop the flow of fentanyl, human trafficking, and criminal activity and secure our border." 

Gov. Glenn Youngkin of Virginia wrote on X, "Virginia stands with Texas." 

"The Biden administration has turned every state into a border state. We must stop the flow of fentanyl, save lives, and secure our southern border," Youngkin went on in his post.  

Many others joined in, including Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp on the platform.  

"Enough is enough. Our southern border is in crisis thanks to the Biden administration’s refusal to do their job," Kemp wrote on X. "[Gregg Abbott] and the state of Texas have our full support." 

Other elected officials joined in supporting Texas' stand in the ongoing legal battle between the Biden administration and Abbott.  

Rep. Chip Roy (R-TX), a congressman in the Lone Star State, posted to X, "This is the right position. You have my full support to do what is necessary to protect Texas." 

House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) as well, backed Abbott and his decision to invoke the state's right to self-defense.  

"I stand with Governor Abbott. The House will do everything in its power to back him up," he wrote in a post. "The next step: holding Secretary Mayorkas accountable." House Republicans have started an impeachment inquiry into the Department of Homeland Security Secretary.  

Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT), posted, "[Gregg Abbott] is right to call out Biden’s defiant refusal to enforce the border," to his X account.  

Many others cheered the decision of the Texas governor. A list of state governors that had statements as of Thursday morning include Utah, West Virginia, Virginia, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Oklahoma, Idaho, Nebraska, North Dakota, Arkansas, South Dakota, Louisiana, and Tennessee.