It’s Not Just the Border: The Trump-Abbott-Republican Nullification Crisis Is Here

Not since the timid accountant in the back of the courtroom suddenly stood up and shouted, “Stop, Perry Mason! I did it! I killed him, and I’m HAPPY!” has a suspect been so eager to confess their crimes as Donald J. Trump. Despite his lawyers’ advice to avoid using the term, he openly proposed and implemented a Muslim ban, and when caught on tape pressuring Georgia’s Secretary of State to “find” votes for him, he claimed he was only asking for an accurate count. After his supporters violently stormed the Capitol, he told them he loved them and they were special. Even after being found liable for rape and defamation, he couldn’t resist defaming his accuser again. Now, as Colorado seeks to exclude him from their 2024 ballot due to his role in the January 6th insurrection, Trump is doubling down on his defiance of the law and Constitution. Instead of professing his respect for the court, he is signaling to his “justices” that he will do it again. This curious choice comes as Texas Governor Greg Abbott defies federal officials and takes control of the state’s border with Mexico, reminiscent of the infamous Governor George Corlee Wallace’s stand against desegregation. Abbott has even declared that Texas now controls the border, and has deployed state law enforcement and National Guard to erect barriers and razor wire. Trump’s support for this reckless and potentially dangerous move only adds to his disregard for the law and the Constitution.