In a letter to U.S. congressional leaders, the governor blamed previous border security policy for leaving Texas “defenseless,” forcing state officials to spend billions.

AUSTIN — Gov. Greg Abbott asked Congress to reimburse the state for billions of dollars in Texas taxpayer money spent on border security during former President Joe Biden’s administration. In letters Thursday to congressional leaders and the state delegation, Abbott requested more than $11 billion from Washington.

The new president said he would designate drug cartels terrorists and send troops to the southern border to repel an “invasion," even as crossings are at a low.

The new president said he’ll work with Abbott to quickly build the border wall and crack down on illegal immigration.

President Donald Trump was speaking to his supporters about the border after his inauguration on Jan. 20, 2025. The president was talking about Texas' handling of the border when he realized Texas Governor Greg Abbott was in the crowd.

Abbott’s appearance will come just a week after he joined other Republican governors around the nation at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort.