Donald Trump is planning a trip to the Lone Star State when the former president will bring his “American Freedom Tour” to Austin on May 14, after a stop in Dallas for a fundraiser for Republican congressional candidates on May 9.
His visit coincides with the runoff election on May 24 for the next Republican candidate for state attorney general, which is between incumbent Ken Paxton and Texas Land Commissioner George P. Bush.
Trump, one of the most influential voices in the Republican party, has endorsed Paxton on earlier occasions.
Bush, meanwhile, was recently lauded by Jack Graham—one of the most popular pastors in Texas and the nation. Graham’s 49,000-member church and 800-city radio program are helping set up a contest between the two Republicans.
Southern Border Wall
Trump’s visit, and Graham’s commendation of Bush’s character, come at a time when Texas Governor Greg Abbott faces spending more to try to plug the flow of illegal immigrants over the southern U.S. border.Abbott has pledged to continue a Trump-era policy and resume the costly construction of a border wall. He also ordered state police to arrest and jail illegal migrants on trespassing charges.
The governor has also mobilized 10,000 National Guard members to support that effort.
In the 2020-21 budget the state legislature set aside $800 million for border security, that amount increased to $2.9 billion for the 2022-23 budget.
Abbott laid the blame for the dramatic increase at the feet of the federal government.
“Because [President] Joe Biden is not securing the border, the state of Texas is having to step up and spend Texas taxpayer money doing the federal government’s job,” he said on April 6.
Sarah Hicks, Abbott’s director of policy and budget, said during a series of hearings at the Texas Senate Committee on Border Security last week, “There is the reality—or the very strong possibility—that next spring Congress looks a little bit different and may finally have something to say about what all the current policies are.”
In the meantime, “we are here, and it is expensive.”
State Senator Brian Birdwell, a Republican and committee chairman, said during the hearings, “We basically have got the city of Waco coming in every month into the state.”
Waco is the 24th largest city in Texas with an estimated population of 142,000 people.
According to figures from the governor’s office and the state Legislative Budget Board, $1 billion was appropriated by the Texas Legislature for the completion of a border fence in the 2022-23 budget.
Nearly $1 billion more goes for Department of Public Safety (Texas Rangers) equipment such as boats, additional troops, and overtime. Among other tasks, the Rangers oversee the department’s border security, which includes reconnaissance teams, joint operations intelligence centers, and a border security operations center.
The legislature also earmarked $100 million for grants to local law enforcement agencies for border security.
Another $170 million is designated for two detention centers for migrants charged with state offenses.
Influencers in Action
Trump has endorsed Paxton in the past and unless there is a surprise, some of the funds raised on May 9 will be going to the Paxton campaign.Endorsed candidates hope that Trump’s high-profile rallies and enthusiastic supporters are the push they need to win elections.
Bush, meanwhile, has promised “to ensure our border patrol is fully funded and stop drug cartels and illegal immigrants from coming into our state,” according to his campaign website.
But the current Texas administration is already spending more money and looking for more ways to stem the tide of illegal immigration, which shows no sign of slowing.
In the plus column for Bush, the son of former Florida governor Jeb Bush, was the commendation from Graham at a Dallas-area fundraiser on March 31.
Graham served as the honorary chairman of the 2015 National Day of Prayer and was a member of Trump’s Religious Advisory Council.
He took part in the National Prayer Service at the Washington National Cathedral the day after Trump’s inauguration.
Graham tweeted on March 31, “Enjoyed a great evening with my good friends. George is a man of character and genuine faith who loves Texas. Really good man.”
The tweet was accompanied by a photo of him with Bush.
Graham’s church, Prestonwood Baptist has three “campuses” in Plano, Lewisville, and North Texas. His “PowerPoint” daily radio broadcasts are heard in more than 800 cities, according to the PowerPoint website, and on television in 133 countries.
The standing policy at Prestonwood is not to endorse political candidates.
