Texas Democrats fight to save Big Bend
Texas Democratic lawmakers are taking a firm stance against the Trump administration's plans to build a border wall right through the beloved national park.
Earlier this month, the Trump administration moved forward with plans to begin construction on a border wall through Big Bend National Park. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem issued a determination to waive federal laws that protect environmentally and culturally sensitive areas, to pave the way for the construction of the border wall in Big Bend National Park. Now, Texas Democrats are ramping up their efforts to defend one of the state’s most treasured landmarks.
U.S. Senate candidate James Talarico took to social media to express his strong opposition to these plans, telling Donald Trump to “come and take it,” a reference to a battle flag used during the Texas Revolution. Today, 47 members of the Texas House penned a letter to Gov. Greg Abbott, urging him to use the power of his office to stop the project from moving forward. Abbott, for his part, reaffirmed his support for Trump administration priorities, telling Marfa Public Radio that he “fully supports using every tool and strategy to aid in the Trump administration’s deterrence of illegal immigrants.”
Locals and environmental activists are warning about the implications of constructing such a large wall through the environmentally sensitive region. And Democrats are seizing on this opportunity to save an important Texas landmark, which they believe is a winning issue even for rural voters in the Trans-Pecos region.
An interactive Customs and Border Protection (CBP) map shows the portions of the park where there are currently plans to construct a physical barrier, which experts say would severely disrupt local wildlife. In addition to the environmental costs, these plans also threaten to cutoff access to the river for park visitors, including areas near Rio Grande Village, a popular destination for tourists.
Big Bend National Park falls within Texas’ 23rd congressional district, represented by Republican Tony Gonzales. Gonzales is facing a difficult reelection campaign following a personal scandal involving an affair with a staffer that preceded her self-immolation. The race has since drawn heightened national attention. Democrats view the district as increasingly competitive territory in a region that has historically leaned Republican, and some are also using the moment to spotlight questions about Big Bend’s long-term future.
With federal waivers now in place, the future of border wall construction through Big Bend remains uncertain but increasingly likely. As political tensions rise in D.C. and Texas, the fight over the park’s landscape is quickly becoming both an environmental flashpoint and a campaign issue.
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