Texas Gov. Greg Abbott followed up last week’s declaration of an invasion at the state’s border with Mexico by sending 10 “tank-like” armored vehicles to protect the area.
According to the Washington Examiner, the Texas Military Department will deploy 10 M113 Armored Personnel Carriers in the coming days. These vehicles are reportedly being transported to 10 different locations.
Abbott tweeted Monday that Department service members “work side by side with the Texas Department of Public Safety and other law enforcement” to combat criminal activity at the border with Mexico.
The Department released a statement declaring the move is part of a larger initiative to take advantage of every tool possible to combat the record surge of illegal migrants.
It added the Texas National Guard is employing “unprecedented measures” to keep citizens of the Lone Star State safe.
Part of the operation includes increased aircraft flights over particular border regions, though state officials did not specify where or how many.
I invoked the Invasion Clauses of the U.S. & Texas Constitutions to fully authorize Texas to take unprecedented measures to defend our state against an invasion.
I'm using that constitutional authority, & other authorization & Executive Orders to keep our state & country safe: pic.twitter.com/2Jt5HEMgp5
— Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) November 15, 2022
It was just last week when Gov. Abbott, a popular Republican who was reelected in a landslide, invoked special powers granted under the state and U.S. constitutions.
This marked the first time in modern history that a state asserted the federal government did not protect its citizens. Thus, the state is allowed to defend itself.
In a statement, he said that he is exercising “constitutional authority and other authorization” to keep both Texas and the nation safe.
The Army Times reported that approximately 50 soldiers will undergo training on using the Armored Personnel Carriers.
These were originally deployed during the Vietnam War and are primarily used to transport troops through danger zones and over rough terrain. They are also bulletproof and can survive small explosions.
The federal government has been mostly quiet since last week’s announcement from Abbott. Washington’s dereliction of its duty to protect the border is obvious to any impartial observer, and it was only a matter of time until a state took matters into its own hands.
