Speaker Johnson’s Texas Showdown: Border Talks with Gov Abbott, Mayorkas Impeachment on the Table

Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) met with Texas Governor Greg Abbott in his hometown on Thursday. They discussed the border crisis and the House GOP response.

The meeting took place just hours after Johnson announced that the House of Representatives was planning to send articles of impeachment for Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, to the Senate by April 10.

The Biden administration actively puts the American people at risk, as well as their families, ranchers, and law enforcement, by opening the border for criminals, traffickers, and cartels. Johnson stated that when the federal government fails in its constitutional duty of protecting our borders, the states are forced to take on this role.

“Right away, we are witnessing a gross misuse of power. Biden’s Department of Justice is using the judicial system against the state of Texas because it has tried to protect its citizens. Texans and Americans deserve better.”

The speaker’s office reported that Johnson had expressed his support for Abbott’s efforts in securing the border between Texas, Mexico, and Canada, and the two also discussed how to “hold Biden accountable.”

Johnson’s office reported that the Louisiana Republican also informed Abbott about the House preparing to transmit the articles of impeachment to the Senate.

The governor’s office reported that Abbott urged Johnson, in turn, to “pass border-security legislation which will help stop the illegal crossings of ports of entry along the southern border,” and the Governor’s Office confirmed this.

Abbott’s Office said that Abbott also asked Speaker Johnson to join the ongoing fight of Texas against President Biden, who has attacked Texas’ historic border mission as well as his refusal to secure its border.

Abbott and President Biden have been at odds for several months because of their differing opinions on how to deal with the migrant crisis.

The White House has criticized Abbott for his actions and those of Texas officials under Operation Lone Star. These include putting razor wire on the border and transferring migrants to Democrat cities such as New York and Chicago. Texas officials, however, have accused the White House of not doing enough on the federal level to stop the migrant crises.

House Republicans have also pressed Biden on the border crisis. They have repeatedly slammed him and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D.N.Y. for not taking up a strict security border bill, H.R.2, that Democrats have dismissed outright as non-starters.

Johnson wrote Schumer a letter on Thursday, informing him of the fact that House impeachment managers will send impeachment articles directly to his chambers on April 10. He also urged him “to hold a trial expeditiously.”

As Speaker and impeachment manager of the U.S. House of Representatives we write you to inform you that upon the return of the Senate, on April 10th, 2024, we will present you with the articles of impeachment duly passed regarding Department of Homeland Security Sec. Alejandro Mayorkas. Johnson, along with the 11 Republicans chosen as impeachment manager, wrote: “We urge you to schedule the trial of this matter quickly.”