Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton (R) said Tuesday that, even though Texans are generally protective of their land, most would support the federal government using eminent domain to take their property to bolster border security.
“Texans are not a fan of people taking their land in general,” Paxton told Hill.TV’s Krystal Ball and Buck Sexton on “Rising.”
“In my opinion, I think most Texans would agree protecting the border, securing our safety, our kids safety, our entire safety that’s worth eminent domain,” he added.
Paxton’s comments come after President Trump declared a national emergency in order to secure funds to construct a border wall along the southern border.
The move quickly sparked legal action from several states.
A coalition of 16 states, including California and New York, filed a lawsuit against Trump’s declaration, deeming it unconstitutional.
Several landowners along the U.S.-Mexico border are also fighting back against the Trump administration.
Public Citizen sued the administration on behalf of the Frontera Audubon Society and three landowners in South Texas who were told by the federal government that it might build on their properties if funds become available.
The liberal advocacy group called Trump’s move a “plain violation” of the separation of powers and said construction could cause some to lose their homes.
Trump’s emergency maneuver to fund his border wall has become a divisive issue, even among some Republicans. Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) became the latest GOP lawmaker to say he would vote for a resolution of disapproval of Trump’s emergency declaration in the upper chamber.
The libertarian claimed Monday that “at least” 10 of his fellow Republican senators are prepared to part ways with Trump and support a resolution blocking the president’s emergency declaration. The resolution is poised to pass the Senate, setting up the first potential veto of Trump’s presidency.
—Tess Bonn
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