Abbott Eases Some Border Inspections as Traffic Backups Spur Inflation Concerns

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott prompted criticism from Democrats and truckers after new safety inspections of commercial vehicles led to long traffic backups at several key border crossings. 

Like busing migrants voluntarily to Washington D.C., the inspections were part of Abbott’s response to the Biden administration ending fast-tracked deportations under Title 42. According to a CBP estimate, some trucks have had to wait over five hours to cross the border. On Monday and Tuesday, Mexican truckers blockaded the Pharr–Reynosa International Bridge to protest the inspections. On Wednesday, Abbott announced that he would end inspections at another border crossing because the governor of the Mexican state of Nuevo León agreed to increase security on his end. 

Abbott, who faces a 2022 election challenge from Democrat Beto O’Rourke, has said the inspections were needed to secure the border in the absence of Title 42. Others, including O’Rourke and White House press secretary Jen Psaki, have raised concerns that the border backups would hurt Texas businesses and exacerbate inflation. 

Coverage was common across the spectrum on Wednesday and Thursday. While outlets across the spectrum covered criticisms of the inspections and Abbott’s easing of inspections at one crossing, right-rated outlets were more likely to cover some of Abbott’s statements on border security.