WASHINGTON – While one governor is thumbing his nose at President Donald Trump and his decision to send National Guard troops to the United States-Mexico border, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott says it's the right move.
Trump lashed out at California Gov. Jerry Brown on Twitter Wednesday, accusing him of "trying to back out of the National Guard at the Border."
There is a Revolution going on in California. Soooo many Sanctuary areas want OUT of this ridiculous, crime infested & breeding concept. Jerry Brown is trying to back out of the National Guard at the Border, but the people of the State are not happy. Want Security & Safety NOW!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 18, 2018
Last week, Brown pledged to send 400 of his state's troops to the border but made it clear they will be focusing on combating drug crime – not immigration.
Meanwhile, Abbott is sending 1,000 Texas National Guard troops to the border and in an interview with CBN News praised Trump for his leadership on the issue.
"President Trump has been robust in assuring national security for us," Abbott told CBN's Jenna Browder.
Abbott also gave credit to Trump for some of his other accomplishments in office, including his handling of the economy.
"If you look at all the things that matter to voters, as well as setting the footing for the pathway for the country, he's making tremendous success," Abbott said. "Look at what's going on in the economy. Ignore the tax cuts. Just look at unemployment: lowest unemployment rate ever in the history of Texas as well as many other states."
The Texas unemployment rate was at 4 percent in February. Nationwide unemployment sat at 4.1 percent.
FULL TRANSCRIPTION:
Jenna Browder: "So far, how do you think President Trump is doing in office?"
Gov. Greg Abbott: "If you look at all the things that matter to voters, as well as setting the footing for the pathway for the country, he's making tremendous success. A couple of quick examples: the United States Constitution was in peril with the vacancy when the President took office. It was essential that the guardian of our court, the guardian of our legal system, the United States Supreme Court, was going to have a justice on that court who was going to stand for the rule of law and upholding the Constitution and that's exactly what we got in Justice Neal Gorsuch. As it concerns national security, President Trump has been robust in assuring national security for us. The economy. Look at what's going on in the economy. Ignore the tax cuts. Just look at unemployment: lowest unemployment rate ever in the history of Texas as well as many other states, lowest recorded unemployment rate for the African American community, for the Hispanic community. Across the board, more Americans are feeling the prosperity and I think that's exactly why you see President Trump's ratings begin to creep up and doing better and better because people's lives are being touched in very positive ways."