Ex-Border Patrol Chief Has Ominous Warning After Supreme Court Ruling

Following Monday's Supreme Court ruling over the removal of razor wire along the U.S-Mexico border, a former border patrol chief has warned that Republicans can use the case as a precedent if they win the 2024 election.

President Joe Biden's administration secured a significant win over Texas Gov. Greg Abbott on Monday after the Supreme Court voted to allow the removal of razor wire along the U.S.' southern border.

The court voted 5-4 in approval of the White House's request to vacate an injunction from the Fifth Circuit in October, which blocked the Biden's administration from instructing federal agents to cut down wire installed in Texas to deter illegal migration.

However, the court's decision has sparked anger among Republicans who support the measures taken by Republican Gov. Abbott to fight illegal immigration in the state, which has seen an influx of people crossing the border from Mexico.

On Tuesday in an interview with Fox News, former Yuma border chief Chris Clem said that the Supreme Court ruling sets a precedent that Republicans can use if they win in 2024.

"It hurts right now, but let's play the long game because these Supreme Court rulings set the precedent. Think about this, three of the four border states in the southern border are run by Democratic governors who really aren't enforcing the law; Texas is. When there's a change in administration, hopefully [as] soon as this upcoming election, we are going to use those precedents to go ahead and do what we need to secure the border," Clem said.

Newsweek has reached out to Biden and the White House via email for comment.

Clem, who was named Yuma sector's chief patrol agent in 2020, said that the precedent would allow the executive branch to do what it needs to secure and have control of the border.

"While it takes a little hit right now, I think we play the long game and realize it sets a precedent and allow the executive brand to do what it needs to do to secure the border," Clem added.

Clem's comments come after a previous statement to Newsweek by Abbott's spokesperson Andrew Mahaleris said the Texas governor will continue to fight to secure the border.

"The Biden administration has repeatedly cut wire that Texas installed to stop illegal crossings, opening the floodgates to illegal immigrants. The absence of razor wire and other deterrence strategies encourages migrants to make unsafe and illegal crossings between ports of entry, while making the job of Texas National Guard soldiers and DPS troopers more dangerous and difficult.

"This case is ongoing, and Gov. Abbott will continue fighting to defend Texas' property and its constitutional authority to secure the border."

Abbott's state government has regularly taken to placing physical obstacles for migrants along the border, which he and his supporters have said are necessary amid the recent surge in people crossing into the U.S.

However, opponents have countered, saying that some of the barricades are overly dangerous.

For the Biden administration, the Supreme Court decision marked a rare victory for the Democratic president from the 6-3 conservative court. Liberal Justices Sonia Sotomayor, Elena Kagan, and Ketanji Brown Jackson were joined by Chief Justice John Roberts and Justice Amy Coney Barrett from the conservative wing in voting to approve the request to vacate. Conservative Justices Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito, Neil Gorsuch, and Brett Kavanaugh were the dissenting votes.

Update 1/23/24, 12:55 p.m. ET: This article was updated with additional information.