GOP explores using military force against cartels, DOJ wants TX buoys removed

The Justice Department is asking a federal judge to order Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, R, to remove buoys in the Rio Grande that Abbott said are designed to deter illegal immigration. Attorneys argued if the buoys aren’t removed, it will cause irreparable harm to foreign relations, public safety and navigation. 

The Justice Department also filed a civil suit that contends the buoys violate the Rivers and Harbors Act which bars unauthorized obstructions on navigable waterways. 

Abbott’s office said it will fight the suits all the way to the Supreme Court, and he has the support of the Texas Republican Congressional Delegation. The representatives said the state has a constitutional right to defend its borders. They called Abbott’s efforts “right” and “necessary.” 

“Governor Abbott stay the course, stand your ground and continue to defend the great state of Texas,” Rep. Jodey Arrington, R-Texas, told reporters.  

“I stand behind Governor Abbott being as aggressive as he needs to be to defend the people of Texas,” Rep. Chip Roy R- Texas, said.  

In addition to fully supporting Abbott’s actions, they said they’ll also attempt to reduce funding for the Department of Homeland Security as long as Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas remains in charge. 

There is also a task force exploring whether Congress should give President Biden an authorization for the use of military force against the Sinaloa Cartel and Jalisco New Generation Cartel. According to a description, it would be based on the cartels’ human and drug trafficking and use of violence against American law enforcement. 

But El Paso Rep. Veronica Escobar, D-Texas, criticized Abbott. 

“Only a monster would lean in on deadly policies that shock his own personnel,” Escobar tweeted.  

In the final months of the Trump administration, the use of buoys to prevent illegal crossings was discussed but never came to fruition. 

“They knew how deadly the policy and practice would be. So Greg Abbott is using a policy and practice that was rejected by one of the most anti-immigrant, inhumane presidents of our lifetime,” Escobar said. 

Escobar said Abbott’s use of Department of Public Safety troopers and National Guardsmen through Operation Lone Star has been a logistical and financial catastrophe.