Abbott unveils plans to build a National Guard base camp near the Rio Grande

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) on Friday announced plans to build a National Guard base camp in Eagle Pass, Texas, near the Rio Grande that could house up to 1,800 soldiers.

“[W]”We are building a new Texas Department of Military Affairs base camp to augment the Texas National Guard and improve operations in the region,” Abbott said. Said Friday during a press conference in the border city.

“This will allow more Texas National Guard soldiers in Eagle Pass to operate more effectively and efficiently,” he added. “Until now, the Texas National Guard was scattered in cramped quarters throughout the region, separated from fellow soldiers and sometimes traveling long distances on missions. This base camp dramatically changes the situation for soldiers. It will improve.”

According to a report on Friday press release, The Texas Department of Military Affairs has acquired 80 acres of land in Eagle Pass to build a “forward operating base” that will house 1,800 soldiers, with “capacity for an additional 500,” the Biden administration said. They will be deployed to respond to disruptions caused by border opening.” “

It will also be installed on the base.

The construction process includes adding 300 beds every 30 days, with the first phase expected to be completed by April, Texas Army National Guard Secretary Maj. Gen. Selser said. Associated Press reported. It will also include three command posts, a weapons storage room and a helicopter field, according to the Associated Press.

The announcement comes amid recent conflict between the Biden administration and Abbott over the southern border and response to the immigration crisis. The Texas National Guard appears to be ignoring a recent Supreme Court decision that allowed Border Patrol agents to remove razor wire along rivers between the U.S. and Mexico and continuing to build barriers.

“Texas will not be able to respond to President Biden’s border crisis without the brave members of the Texas National Guard, and it is essential that we build this base camp for them,” Abbott said.

Abbott’s announcement comes after a bipartisan border agreement was defeated in Congress a week ago, with former President Donald Trump, who the governor endorsed as a 2024 Republican presidential candidate in November, strongly opposed.

“Only an idiot or a radical left Democrat would vote for this horrible border bill that only gives you the power to close if there are 5,000 encounters a day, when we already have the right to close the border right now. , we must do so,” President Trump wrote. It was published on Truth Social shortly after the bill was announced.

“This bill is a great gift to Democrats and a death wish to Republicans,” the former president added. “It takes the terrible job Democrats have done on immigration and the border, pardons them, and puts everything squarely on the shoulders of Republicans.”