The United States Department of Justice has delivered a letter to the Governor of Texas, Greg Abbott, in which it threatens legal action if the state does not remove the floating border barrier that was just recently erected.

As a report in Breitbart News pointed out, on Twitter, Governor Abbott provided a response to President Trump's comments, writing, "We will see you in court, Mr. President."

It was alleged in a letter that was addressed to Governor Abbott by Assistant Attorney General Todd Kim and the United States Attorney for the Western District of Texas Jaime Esparza that the state of Texas had unlawfully erected a floating border barrier in the Rio Grande near Eagle Pass, Texas.

In the letter, it is asserted that the buoy barrier was erected without the authorization of the United States Army Corps of Engineers.

The Department of Justice further asserts that the barrier is a hazard to river transportation, which is in violation of the Rivers and Harbors Act.

The Governor's Response

As a response, Governor Abbott issued a statement on Twitter, stating, "Texas has the sovereign right to defend our border, under both the U.S. Constitution and the Texas Constitution."

The governor continued by saying that the unwillingness of President Joe Biden to secure the border "encourages migrants to risk their lives crossing illegally through the Rio Grande, instead of crossing safely and legally over a bridge."

In the letter sent by the DOJ, the government asserts that according to the Rivers and Harbors Act, the floating barrier at issue in this case is a structure that obstructs the navigational capacity of the Rio Grande River, which is considered a navigable stream of the United States.

Texas does not have permission to erect the floating barrier from the Corps of Engineers, and the state did not seek permission to do so before installing the barrier.

A primary violation of the Rivers and Harbors Act has been committed by the state of Texas through the unauthorized building of the floating barrier.

The presence of this floating barrier in the Rio Grande River raises concerns not only for the safety of river users and the general public but also for the well-being of river residents.

The Ultimatum

The state of Texas has been given until the afternoon of July 24 to respond to the letter "indicating your commitment to expeditiously remove the floating barrier and related structures."

In the event that this requirement is not satisfied, the DOJ has stated that it will pursue legal action.

Governor Abbott responded, “We will continue to deploy every strategy to protect Texans and Americans — and the migrants risking their lives.”

“We will see you in court, Mr. President,” Abbott stated.