‘Standing by to help’: Red state reveals plan to purchase auctioned border wall materials to store for Trump

Officials in Texas are taking proactive steps to secure border wall materials that are being auctioned off by the federal government. The goal is to keep these materials stored until the Trump administration takes office in January.

Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick has expressed his intention to bid on all available border wall materials and purchase them for the state. He stated, “I will bid on all of that wall, and we will buy it in Texas, and we will give it to Donald Trump.” Patrick also mentioned that he has a billion dollars set aside for this purpose.

This initiative has garnered support from Texas Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham, who has offered state land as a storage location for the acquired materials. She emphasized the importance of securing these materials and criticized the Biden administration for auctioning them off, calling the practice “shameful.”

The auctioning off of border wall parts began in 2023, with excess materials listed for sale on GovPlanet.com. These materials were initially turned over for disposition by the Army Corps of Engineers. The auctions have continued, with reports indicating that Arizona has been hosting weekly auctions for some time.

President-elect Donald Trump has vowed to resume border wall construction once he takes office. He has criticized the selling off of wall materials, labeling it as “almost a criminal act.” Trump has urged the Biden administration to halt the selling of these materials.

A defense official revealed that the Pentagon has been disposing of excess wall materials in compliance with the FY 2024 National Defense Authorization Act. The Act mandated the Defense Secretary to formulate a plan for the use, transfer, or donation of remaining wall materials purchased with Pentagon funds. The plan was submitted in March.

Border states like Texas and California were given priority for these materials, with both states receiving border materials upon request. The official clarified that the materials currently being sold through auctions no longer belong to the U.S. government, and the Department of Defense lacks the legal authority to recall or stop their resale.

Texas has demonstrated its commitment to supporting the incoming administration’s efforts to enhance border security and conduct mass deportation operations. The state has offered 1,400 acres of land for staging deportation operations, showcasing its dedication to collaborating with federal authorities in addressing immigration challenges.

Overall, Texas officials’ proactive approach to securing border wall materials underscores their commitment to border security and support for the Trump administration’s immigration policies. By acquiring and storing these materials, Texas aims to contribute to the effective implementation of border security measures in the future.