The Biden administration has recently initiated the sale of unused border wall materials, a move met with skepticism and scrutiny by Texas state officials.
Breitbart reported that the sale has been labeled by Texas officials as a politically motivated act to sabotage President-elect Donald Trump's plans to shut the border and continue the construction of a border wall.
Texas Lt. Governor Dan Patrick expressed concerns over the condition of the border wall materials, which are being sold by the Biden administration.
Many of these materials, consisting of wall panels covered in concrete and rust, were deemed not worth their logistical costs for transportation from Arizona to Texas, according to Patrick.
Initial enthusiasm for purchasing these materials by Texas authorities was aimed at aiding the expected future administration of Donald Trump, who has long advocated for strengthening border security.
However, the enthusiasm waned after a closer inspection of the materials' quality. The Texas Facilities Commission assessed the materials and found them to be mostly inadequate for further use.
During an interview on Fox News, Lt. Governor Patrick declared his intent to acquire any viable remaining panels. "Message to the White House right now, I will bid on all of that wall and we will buy it in Texas and we will give it to Donald Trump," said Patrick.
Previously, in March 2022, Governor Greg Abbott had successfully purchased border wall materials from the Biden administration to build additional barriers within Texas. This move was part of the state’s broader strategy to enhance border security on its terms.
According to Governor Abbott, the Biden administration ceased Texas's ability to acquire more panels after becoming aware of how Texas was proceeding with its procurement
"We found a way, by going through the surplus program of the federal government where Texas would be able to obtain these border wall panels and we obtained as much as we could until Biden found out about it," Abbott explained, suggesting that the state might look into other methods for acquiring additional materials.
U.S. Senator Joni Ernst also commented on the wall panels, noting that many had been damaged either by human smugglers or due to incomplete construction efforts, further complicating their usage for new construction projects.
Lt. Governor Patrick pointed out that the Biden administration's decision to sell the panels was perceived as an effort to placate the radical open border advocates within the left-wing political spectrum.
"In short, this was a Biden ruse to gain favor with the radical left open border crowd, showing Biden was fighting President Trump to the bitter end," Patrick stated on X, formerly known as Twitter.
In his critique, Patrick also promised to keep an eye on the sales, ready to purchase any panels that would be economically sensible.
"Rest assured, if they sell any panels that make economic sense, we will buy them and give them to President Trump when he takes office," he affirmed.
Additionally, Governor Abbott reflected on the broader implications of not utilizing the bought materials. "In addition, a lot of people saw on TV a lot of these border wall components like this that were just laying on the ground, that taxpayers had paid for. Biden chose not to build the wall," Abbott said during an interview in Eagle Pass, Texas.
As the Biden administration continues with its strategy, Texas officials remain vigilant and critical of the federal government's actions regarding border security and the management of unused border infrastructure.