Political speech, timestamped and in context

Greg Abbott: “We must secure the border not just for the next two years of the Trump administration, but we've got to do it…”

Featuring: Greg Abbott, Republican | Governor of Texas

JUST IN: Gov. Abbott Highlights Texas-DHS Cooperation After Operation Lone Star Reimbursements

Published October 2, 2026

That said, we also need to understand what I was just talking about, and that is our job of securing the border is not over. We must secure the border not just for the next two years of the Trump administration, but we've got to do it forever. And so what? We as a legislature, as legislative leaders, we've got to craft what our strategy is going to be for the next four years and make sure that is funded. (21:21–21:27)

STATEMENT

Asserts the necessity of permanent border security measures.

This is an excerpt from a raw transcript. The assertions have not been audited or verified. Tap the video to view the source footage and understand the context.

See the main statements from Greg Abbott in this video

“We worked together to build barriers on the border, hundreds of miles of razor wire border barrier that Denied illegal entry.”
Asserts that Texas built hundreds of miles of razor wire border barriers to deny illegal entry.07:38-07:51
“Together with Operation Lone Star, we were able to achieve an 85% reduction in illegal immigration into the state of Texas.”
Asserts that Operation Lone Star led to an 85% reduction in illegal immigration into Texas.08:17-08:28
“Before President Trump took the presidency for a second time, we led to a decrease of fentanyl deaths by more than 40%.”
Asserts that Texas decreased fentanyl deaths by more than 40% before Trump's second presidency.08:27-08:39
“Department of Homeland Security had $10 billion to allocate to all states for any type of reimbursement for their expenses. We got 75% of that.”
Asserts that Texas received 75% of the $10 billion allocated by DHS for state reimbursements.22:10-22:20
“We've seen flooding in regions across the state, and we have actually seen minimal property damage.”
Asserts minimal property damage from recent flooding in Texas.00:31-00:41
“As of right now, we still do not have any civilian who has lost their life because of this rainstorm.”
Asserts no civilian deaths due to the rainstorm in Texas.01:33-01:43
“There is one report out of Wharton county about the loss of a life of a first responder.”
Reports a first responder's death in Wharton County, possibly related to the weather event.02:05-02:14
“October is Texas Law Enforcement Appreciation month.”
Declares October as Texas Law Enforcement Appreciation Month.06:05-06:10
“They have all dedicated the past four years or so to make sure that Texas would be made safe and secure from Joe Biden's open border policies.”
Claims Texas law enforcement has worked for four years to counteract Joe Biden's border policies.06:42-06:55
“Joe Biden's open border policies that were allowing in thousands of illegal immigrants a day unvetted.”
Claims Joe Biden's border policies allow thousands of unvetted illegal immigrants daily.06:56-07:20
“Congress then took the lead, especially the Republican members of the United States Congress from the state of Texas.”
Asserts that Republican members of Congress from Texas led efforts to reimburse Texas for border security costs.08:56-09:03
“There's another $3 billion that was allocated to the United States Department of Justice.”
Asserts that $3 billion was allocated to the U.S. Department of Justice for border security reimbursement.09:59-10:05
“Sheriffs in every region of the state of Texas had to respond to [the border crisis].”
Asserts that sheriffs across Texas had to respond to the border crisis.13:29-13:33
“The Operation Lone Star continues to be in effect and we continue to face challenges.”
Asserts that Operation Lone Star is ongoing and facing challenges.19:31-19:39
“There has been a slight uptick in those coming across the border.”
Asserts that there is a slight increase in border crossings.19:46-19:50
“In the last session, I signed a law making it a state crime now for somebody to enter the state illegally, crossing the border illegally.”
Asserts that a new law was signed making illegal border crossing a state crime in Texas.20:26-20:37
“Authorizing law enforcement officers across the entire state of Texas to arrest those people who crossed the border illegally.”
Asserts that Texas law enforcement officers are authorized to arrest individuals crossing the border illegally.20:37-20:44
“We have submitted an application for [the $3 billion DOJ] already, and we will sit down in negotiations with them.”
Asserts that Texas has submitted an application for $3 billion from the DOJ.21:59-22:06
“My goal from the $3 billion that DOJ has is to get 75% of that also.”
Asserts the goal to obtain 75% of the $3 billion from the DOJ.22:20-22:26
“There has been an increase in either crossings or attempts to cross or activity by cartels along the border.”
Asserts an increase in border crossings or cartel activity.22:46-22:54
“Texas is stepping up to assist border patrol, to assist local communities to make sure that we're not going to have, whether it be cartel activity or illegal immigrants in any way threatening our state.”
Asserts that Texas is increasing efforts to assist border patrol and local communities against threats.22:53-23:08
“It does not appear to pose any threat. He mentioned that there were no warnings to go out concerning any particular rivers.”
Asserts that current rainfall does not pose a threat and no river warnings are issued.24:59-25:10