Texas Gov. Greg Abbott on Friday delivered a speech heavy with familiar conservative talking points as he praised President Donald Trump and promoted his administration’s policies ahead of Trump’s appearance in Corpus Christi.
Speaking near a Gulf Coast bridge, Abbott framed Texas as a national leader aligned with Trump on immigration, law enforcement and energy policy, while repeating themes that have become staples of Republican campaigns in recent years, including opposition to “woke” policies, support for police funding and calls for stricter border enforcement.
Abbott said about 3,000 Texas National Guard troops are deployed along the U.S.-Mexico border and credited cooperation with the Trump administration for reductions in crime, including what he described as a 20% drop in murders. He also emphasized legislation he signed allowing the state to penalize cities that reduce funding for police departments, reviving rhetoric tied to the national “defund the police” debate that emerged after the 2020 protests over police violence.
The governor also asserted that Texas leads the country in deportations of people living in the country without legal status, though deportations are primarily conducted by federal immigration authorities, not states.
Abbott highlighted several laws that have drawn national attention and legal challenges, including restrictions on transgender athletes in school sports, limits on diversity, equity and inclusion programs in public education, and a ban on certain medical treatments for transgender minors. He characterized the measures as “common sense,” echoing language frequently used by conservative politicians nationwide.
On national security, Abbott pointed to legislation restricting land ownership by individuals and entities linked to certain foreign governments considered adversaries by the United States. He also referenced his designation of the Muslim Brotherhood and the Council on American-Islamic Relations as terrorist organizations within Texas, a move criticized by civil rights advocates and some legal scholars who question whether a state government has authority to make such designations.
Abbott also promoted Texas’ economic growth and energy dominance, citing oil and natural gas production, liquefied natural gas exports centered around Corpus Christi and electricity generation capacity. Texas has experienced significant economic expansion in recent years, driven in part by population growth and corporate relocations, though economists note the state also faces ongoing challenges including infrastructure demands and energy grid reliability.
The governor tied his remarks to broader national political messaging, praising Trump’s leadership and referencing the upcoming 250th anniversary of the United States in 2026. He said he hoped local landmarks would be illuminated in red, white and blue to mark the milestone.
Trump was scheduled to speak later Friday during the South Texas visit, which resembled a campaign-style event despite Trump already being in office.
