A "powder keg of tension" is growing between the federal government and the state of Texas over immigration enforcement measures at the southern border, and with the rumblings that President Joe Biden could federalize the Texas National Guard, a "very weird situation" is brewing, Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt said on Newsmax.
"You've got the federal agents that are cutting the wire, and then you've got the Texas National Guard on orders to put up wire," the Republican governor told Newsmax's "Carl Higbie FRONTLINE" when asked if the tensions could result in "force on force conflict" between the Texas National Guard and the U.S. government.
"We certainly stand with Texas on the right to defend themselves, but Biden is going to be in a tough situation," Stitt added while promising to continue supporting Texas GOP Gov. Greg Abbott. "He's going to try to federalize these troops, in other words, put them on federal orders, so now, their allegiance technically goes to the president of the United States instead of the governor."
That would also put Texans who are in the National Guard, who serve when called up by the governor, in a "difficult situation" when determining whether to protect their homeland or obey Biden, said Stitt.
"Then you've got Oklahoma, and Florida, and Tennessee, and you got all these other states that would send their National Guard to help and to support the efforts of Gov. Abbott because every state is a border state," he said.
That includes Oklahoma, where Stitt said fentanyl deaths have climbed by 500% since he took office.
"We know that's coming across the southern border," Stitt said. "And then you think about the terrorists."
Stitt said he doesn't know what the Biden administration's end game is, but he hopes the American people "wake up to what's happening."
Stitt said he's been to the border and has sent the Oklahoma National Guard there, and told Newsmax that Oklahomans are confused about the situation between Texas and the federal government.
"How in the world can the president of the United States and our Supreme Court, for that matter, authorize the cutting of a barrier?" said Stitt.
He further noted that it's already illegal to enter the U.S. except through its ports of entry, but that is not being enforced.
"I don't know what Biden's game plan is but I hope American people are realizing what's happening right now," said Stitt. "We stand with Texas … 25 governors have supported him and will be sending more troops down there as soon as Gov. Abbott requests that."
Stitt said he's spoken with the head of the Oklahoma National Guard to get an indication of troop numbers and volunteers who are serving.
"We also have 1300 troops right now in Djibouti, Africa, and Kenya," said Stitt. "They're going to be coming home, but we've already sent troops one time down to the southern border … we'll be in contact with Gov. Abbott and whatever he needs."
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Sandy Fitzgerald ✉
Sandy Fitzgerald has more than three decades in journalism and serves as a general assignment writer for Newsmax covering news, media, and politics.
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