In a scathing editorial piece published on Saturday, the Houston Chronicle, Texas' largest newspaper, strongly condemned Governor Greg Abbott for disregarding the recent U.S. Supreme Court decision to temporarily halt the use of razor wire at the U.S.-Mexico border. The editorial highlighted Abbott's ongoing legal battles with the Department of Justice (DOJ) concerning his controversial migrant deterrent tactics.

Amidst a surge in illegal border crossings, Governor Abbott has been attempting to dissuade migrants by employing razor wire along sections of the southern border and implementing a circular saw floating barrier in the Rio Grande river. However, the Biden administration has decried these measures as "dangerous" and "cruel."

Earlier this week, the Supreme Court ruled 5-4 in favor of the Biden administration, enabling U.S. Border Patrol agents to temporarily remove the razor wire installed under Governor Abbott's directive while litigation over the matter unfolds. In response, Abbott issued a statement on Wednesday, asserting Texas' "right to self-defense." Additionally, he took to social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, on Monday, stating, "this is not over," and praising the razor wire as an "effective deterrent."

The Houston Chronicle's editorial board commented on Abbott's actions, stating, "Abbott, a former Texas Supreme Court justice, seemingly believes he knows better than the highest court in the nation about the U.S. Constitution." The editorial also highlighted the hypocrisy of Abbott's self-defense argument, pointing out the harm inflicted upon migrants through the use of razor wire, including deprivation of water and the risk of drowning in the river.

In a striking comparison, Abbott was likened to former Alabama Governor George Wallace by the newspaper's opinion piece. Wallace, a segregationist during the civil rights movement, defied federal orders to integrate Alabama's schools, and even blocked Black students from registering at the University of Alabama. The editorial board wrote, "He'll earn a place in the history books right next to Gov. George Wallace in the schoolhouse door, promising to block integration in defiance of the Supreme Court's ban on school segregation. We can think of better legacies for a man who has the brains and education to know better."

Newsweek reached out to Abbott's office for comment, but no response has been received thus far. Governor Abbott, along with other Republican lawmakers, has placed blame on President Joe Biden for what they view as a crisis at the southern border. Meanwhile, President Biden has signaled openness to "massive changes" in border policy, as discussed during the U.S. Conference of Mayors meeting at the White House, an initiative being worked on by a bipartisan group of senators.