Stand-off on the Rio Grande: Texas National Guard faces off against the federal government in a fight over razor wire

A tense standoff between Texas National Guard troops and the federal government escalated on Tuesday after the state’s military said it would “hold the line” in a battle for control of a stretch of the border with Mexico.

The long-running power struggle between the once-independent state and the Biden administration was sparked by Texas authorities placing razor wire at a park on the banks of the Rio Grande that has seen high numbers of illegal crossings. Last week, the Texas National Guard blocked federal border patrol troops from entering the area in the town of Eagle Pass, accusing them of destroying the fortifications.

After being asked by the Biden administration to intervene, the Supreme Court issued an order on Monday allowing for US Border Patrol agents to clear out the razor wire, which should have settled the matter.