Castro, Texas Democratic Colleagues Demand Gov. Abbott End Unlawful Deployment of National Guard to Other

Castro, Texas Democratic Colleagues Demand Gov. Abbott End Unlawful Deployment of National Guard to Other

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) led nine of his Democratic colleagues, including Congressman Marc Veasey (TX-33), Congresswoman Julie Johnson (TX-32), Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia (TX-29), Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher (TX-07), Congressman Lloyd Doggett (TX-37), Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett (TX-30), Congressman Greg Casar (TX-35), Congresswoman Veronica Escobar (TX-16), and Congressman Al Green (TX-09), in calling out Texas Governor Greg Abbott's cooperation with President Trump's illegal deployment of the Texas National Guard across the country and demanding their immediate withdrawal. This letter comes a day after Governor Abbott sent 200 Texas National Guard troops to Chicago to assist Trump's invasion of American cities.

"As Members of Congress representing Texans, we urge you to immediately decline, withdraw, and refuse any cooperation or support for the deployment of the Texas National Guard to Portland, Oregon, Chicago, Illinois, or any other state for civilian or criminal law enforcement purposes. Despite Illinois' pending litigation in federal court, you've willingly sent 200 Texas National Guard troops to Chicago. This request is urgent, grounded in U.S. law, public safety, and our responsibility to the people of Texas," the lawmakers wrote.

"Already, a federal court in Oregon has prohibited the deployment of federalized National Guard troops, including those from Texas to Portland in the Administration's September 28^th memorandum. In her order, Judge Karin Immergut, an appointee of President Trump to the U.S. District Court in Oregon, noted that based on the facts on the ground, this deployment violated constitutional and other federal statutory law. At a moment when the Administration is threatening to send federalized National Guard troops hundreds of miles away from their families, job, and communities, and without a clear factual and legal explanation for the scope and duration of the alleged mission, this deployment violates the rule of law, puts Texas National Guard servicemembers at risk, and sets a precedent that undermines the ability of Texas to resist a similar imposition by other states in the future," the lawmakers continued.

"Texans did not join the National Guard to be used as a political weapon aimed at fellow American citizens in another state. Our Guard members are citizen-soldiers who serve in disasters, defend our state, and serve overseas when required. Turning them into a domestic police force in another state - especially over that state's objections - erodes public trust and undermines the Guard's core mission," the lawmakers continued.

"Our state faces hurricanes, wildfires, and other emergencies that demand readiness at home. When the federal government sends our troops to police our neighbors, it creates more fear and distrust, and is an inappropriate and unacceptable diversion of personnel, equipment, and funds. Deploying Texas troops to another state, even under a federalized posture, is deeply concerning, and it sets a dangerous precedent that states can police one another's communities. Texans would oppose any other state that deployed military forces into our cities without our consent. If any other state deployed their National Guard to Texas without our consent, we would call that an invasion of Texas. We must not do the same to Oregon, Illinois, or any other American state," the lawmakers continued.

"As noted in the Oregon decision, the Administration has not provided a compelling justification for the use of federalized National Guard troops in Portland, and while individuals in the Trump administration have made statements about the intended use of troops in Chicago and elsewhere, the Administration has similarly not provided a legal or factual justification for taking our National Guard from their families and communities to be used as a federal police force. We do not believe that the President's use of his authority under Title 10 or any other statute to deploy the Texas National Guard is lawfully justify," the lawmakers concluded.

Lawmakers demand that Governor Abbott:

1. Publicly commit that, to the maximum extent possible under law, Texas will not cooperate with, enable, or facilitate deployments of Texas National Guard personnel into other states for domestic policing purposes over the objection of those states.
2. Request the Administration rescind their decision to deploy the Texas National Guard to Oregon, Illinois, or other states.
3. Direct the Texas Adjutant General that no Texas National Guard personnel, equipment, or logistical support will be provided for such operations, to the maximum extent possible under law, and that Texas will not serve as a staging ground for cross-state domestic missions.
4. Release the Governor's Office and Texas Military Department legal analyses regarding the scope and limits of presidential authority to federalize and redeploy Texas National Guard units for domestic law-enforcement functions in other states.
5. Coordinate with the Attorney General of Texas to ensure full compliance with federal court orders, the Constitution, and all other federal laws to avoid exposing Texas National Guardsmen to personal legal jeopardy.
6. Reaffirm that Texas National Guard readiness and resources will prioritize Texas emergencies and federally authorized missions that comport with the Constitution and federal law.
7. Pursue litigation against the Federal government, if necessary, to protect the rights of the State of Texas under the Constitution.

Link to the full letter here.