Texas made clear Wednesday that it will continue to defend itself against the ongoing "invasion" of illegal aliens despite efforts by the Biden administration to otherwise render the border porous and the state exposed.

The Lone Star State is apparently not alone.

Other Republican states have begun to rally behind Texas, calling out the executive branch for its apparent failure to address the crisis at the border.

What's the background?

Blaze News previously reported that Republican Texas Gov. Greg Abbott issued a statement on Jan. 24 stressing both that Texas has the "constitutional authority to defend and protect itself" and that this authority "supersedes any federal statutes to the contrary."

This apparently provocative statement came days after the U.S. Supreme Court vacated a lower court's order against the Biden Department of Homeland Security, thereby allowing it to remove defensive razor wire along Texas' southern border with Mexico.

"The federal government has broken the compact between the United States and the States," wrote Abbott. "The Executive Branch of the United States has a constitutional duty to enforce federal laws protecting States, including immigration laws on the books right now. President Biden has refused to enforce those laws and has even violated them."

Abbott claimed that the Biden administration's failure to fulfill its duty to protect each state against invasion, codified in Article IV, Section 4 of the Constitution, has "triggered Article I, § 10, Clause 3, which reserves to this State the right of self-defense."

The governor's statement appeared to account for why — in defiance of the Biden White House, which admitted the razor wire at the border "got in the way" — Texas began installing more wire and border defenses this week with state agencies vowing to hold the line.

In response to Texas' stated and visible efforts to protect both American sovereignty and itself, various Democrats called on the geriatric president to seize control of the Texas National Guard and to all but force the Lone Star State to submit.

Rallying cry

Several Republican governors have expressed support for Texas' self-defense or have at least decried the Biden administration for letting things degenerate to the point where such defense was required.

One hour after Abbott shared his statement online, Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt (R) announced, "Oklahoma stands with Texas."

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis wrote, "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 never have 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."

Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R) later stated, "Virginia stands with Texas. [Abbott] is doing the job Joe Biden and his border czar refuse to do to secure our border. 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."

Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp (R) said, "Enough is enough. Our southern border is in crisis thanks to the Biden administration's refusal to do their job. [Abbott] and the state of Texas have our full support."

South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem (R) underscored that 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."

Other Republican governors appeared less committed but nevertheless expressed appreciation for Texas and antipathy for the federal government over its apparent inaction.

Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte (R) suggested in a tweet that Abbott "is doing what @POTUS won't. By refusing to act, President Biden is inviting cartels, illegal drugs, and human trafficking into the United States. We must secure the southern border."

Utah Gov. Spencer Cox (R) said, "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. This is a common sense issue. This is an American issue. Utah thanks Texas and Gov. Abbott for stepping up where the Biden Administration has failed over and over again."

While the leaders of other red states — including Govs. Bill Lee (Tenn.), Brad Little (Idaho), Jim Pillen (Neb.) and Tate Reeves (Miss.) — do not appear to have issued similar statements as of Thursday morning, they have nevertheless committed troops, law enforcement agents, support vehicles, and other resources to Texas in recent years with the aim of shoring up America's defenses.

Some Republicans in Washington have also voiced support for Texas and its ability to defend itself.

House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) joined Georgia Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R) and Texas Rep. Chip Roy (R) in signaling support, tweeting, "I stand with Governor Abbott. The House will do everything in its power to back him up. The next step: holding Secretary Mayorkas accountable."

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