Texas Democratic gubernatorial challenger Beto O’Rourke lost his cool with a man who laughed while the former congressman was talking about the Uvalde school massacre — calling him a “motherf—er.”
O’Rourke, who has been vocal in his condemnation of local and state officials’ response to the tragedy at Robb Elementary School, which claimed the lives of 19 children and two teachers, was in the city of Mineral Wells on Wednesday arguing for stricter gun control measures when he heard a loud chortle coming from an audience member.
O’Rourke whipped around and immediately confronted the inappropriately jovial town hall attendee.
“It may be funny to you, motherf—er, but it’s not funny to me,” O’Rourke barked back.
O’Rourke, a Democrat who is running to unseat Gov. Greg Abbott, was talking about gun control in Mineral Wells, Texas, Wednesday, when he encountered a hackler. Twitter/Beto MediaWhen O’Rourke heard the man laugh in response to his comments about the Uvalde shooting, he snapped: “it may be funny to you, motherf—er, but it’s not funny to me.”Twitter/Beto Media
The would-be governor’s potty-mouthed clapback drew loud cheers and applause from the crowd, culminating with a standing ovation.
The unnamed audience member was reportedly standing among a small clique of supporters of Gov. Greg Abbott who were dressed in black and displaying the Republican incumbent’s campaign signs.
After his fiery town hall speech, O’Rourke tweeted: “there was nothing more serious to me than getting justice for the families in Uvalde and stopping this from ever happening again.”
O’Rourke’s response was widely praised by Democrats on Twitter, while a few conservatives slammed him for using foul language.
“@BetoORourke captures the anger and frustration that so many of us feel when people like this heckler and @GovAbbott show no compassion for Uvalde victims and their families,” wrote the Texas state Sen. Roland Gutierrez, a Democrat who represents Uvalde.
Jaime Harrison, chair of the Democratic National Committee, applauded O’Route for “calling it like it is.”
A day after the school shooting on May 24, O’Rourke famously interrupted Abbott and local officials press conference, demanding action on gun control in what was widely perceived as an ill-timed campaign stunt.
O’Rourke famously hacked Gov. Abbott during a press conference held a day after the May 24 shooting at Robb Elementary School. AFP via Getty Images
“The time to stop the next shooting is right now, and you are doing nothing,” the liberal politician said, before he was escorted out.
The former congressman and 2020 presidential candidate will face off against Abbott at the polls in November.
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott tapped into his inner “Dirty Harry” on Wednesday and publicly dared Mayor Eric Adams to “make my day” by carrying through on his threat to send New Yorkers to campaign against his re-election bid.
Abbott also vowed to keep sending busloads of asylum-seekers to New York City, saying Adams was merely “getting a taste” of what beleaguered border communities have been dealing with in the Lone Star State since President Biden took office.
Abbott’s comments on Fox News came amid his ongoing feud with Adams over migrant relocations and just hours after three charter buses hired by Abbott dropped off nearly 100 migrants outside the Port Authority terminal in Midtown Manhattan.
The transports added to almost 70 who arrived on Friday and Sunday.
In response to Adams’ threat Tuesday that he was “deeply contemplating taking a busload of New Yorkers to go to Texas and do some good, old-fashioned door-knocking” against Abbott, the Republican governor said, “You know, I kind of feels like Clint Eastwood.”
“Go ahead, Major. Make my day,” he said.
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott told Mayor Eric Adams to “make my day” in response to Adams’ threats to send New Yorkers to Texas to campaign against him.foxnews
The taunt echoed Eastwood’s iconic line from the 1983 movie “Sudden Impact,” in which his San Francisco detective character “Dirty Harry” faced off against a robber who was holding a coffee shop waitress at gunpoint.
Then-President Ronald Reagan also famously invoked Eastwood’s words in 1985 when he threatened to veto “any tax increase that Congress might even think of sending up.”
“And I have only one thing to say to the tax increasers: Go ahead. Make my day,” he added.
Abbott said the buses of migrants is giving Adams “a taste” of what border towns go through in Texas.Matthew McDermott
Abbott said there “could hardly be anything better” for him than for Democratic challenger Beto O’Rourke to be “aided by a bunch of New Yorkers.”
“That will not be viewed very positively by the state of Texas,” he said.
Abbott also accused Adams and Gov. Kathy Hochul, both Democrats, of “rank hypocrisy” for attacking his motives for him in responding to what he calls President Biden’s “open border policies.”
“Listen, New York is a sanctuary city,” Abbott said.
A bus carrying migrants from Texas arriving at the Port Authority Bus Terminal on August 10, 2022.AFP Photo by Yuki IWAMURA / AFP) (Photo by YUKI IWAMURA/AFP via Getty Images Getty Images
“Mayor Adams said that they welcome illegal immigrants. And now once they have to deal with the reality of it, they’re suddenly flummoxed and they cannot handle it.”
Abbott added: “They are now getting a taste of what we’re having to deal with… the challenges that Texas is dealing with every day.”
“Only when they see that will the Biden ministration begin to have to realize the Biden administration is gonna have to finally start enforcing the laws passed by Congress that secure the border,” he said.
Migrants getting off the bus in Manhattan after being driven from Texas.Photo by YUKI IWAMURA/AFP via Getty Images
Adams responded during an unrelated afternoon news conference in Queens, saying of Abbott, “I know he thinks he’s Clint Eastwood, but he’s not.” “He is an anti-American governor that is really going against everything we stand for,” Adams blasted in response to a question from The Post. “And I am going to do everything feasible to make sure Texans, the people of Texas, realize how harmful he is to us globally.” Adams then called Abbott a “global embarrassment.” “Because this is not what we do as Americans,” the mayor said. “All of us — and I’m sure if he goes into his lineage, he came from somewhere. And if his ancestors of him were treated the way he’s treating these asylum seekers and migrants, then he would not be where he is right now. The mayor said that “without the proper coordination,” the city was “unable to receive people at one location and give them the support they deserve…but often they end up at our intake centers.” Adams also called on New Yorkers to assist the migrants, saying that “if anyone in the city sees someone that they believe needs the assistance, we’re asking them to point them and direct them to the intake centers.
A man could be seen handing money to the migrants as they got off the bus Wednesday.Georgette Roberts
The Biden administration quietly ended the Trump-era “Remain in Mexico” immigration policy Monday — clearing the way for potentially tens of thousands more migrants to enter the US and stay here while their applications for asylum are processed.
The Department of Homeland Security announced it would no longer enroll asylum-seekers in the Migrant Protection Protocols (MPP) program – which forced about 70,000 people back south of the border over the past three years to await their immigration hearings.
Abbott, who began sending migrants to Washington in April, said that “our goal is to, for one, help our local communities and in doing so send even more buses to New York, to DC and maybe even to other communities to alleviate the challenge we dealing with.”
In addition, Abbott said he wanted “to continue to expose this national catastrophe caused by President Biden.”
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott tapped into his inner “Dirty Harry” on Wednesday and publicly dared Mayor Eric Adams to “make my day” by carrying through on his threat to send New Yorkers to campaign against his re-election bid.
Abbott also vowed to keep sending busloads of asylum-seekers to New York City, saying Adams was merely “getting a taste” of what beleaguered border communities have been dealing with in the Lone Star State since President Biden took office.
Abbott’s comments on Fox News came amid his ongoing feud with Adams over migrant relocations and just hours after three charter buses hired by Abbott dropped off nearly 100 migrants outside the Port Authority terminal in Midtown Manhattan.
The transports added to almost 70 who arrived on Friday and Sunday.
In response to Adams’ threat Tuesday that he was “deeply contemplating taking a busload of New Yorkers to go to Texas and do some good, old-fashioned door-knocking” against Abbott, the Republican governor said, “You know, I kind of feels like Clint Eastwood.”
“Go ahead, Major. Make my day,” he said.
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott told Mayor Eric Adams to “make my day” in response to Adams’ threats to send New Yorkers to Texas to campaign against him.foxnews
The taunt echoed Eastwood’s iconic line from the 1983 movie “Sudden Impact,” in which his San Francisco detective character “Dirty Harry” faced off against a robber who was holding a coffee shop waitress at gunpoint.
Then-President Ronald Reagan also famously invoked Eastwood’s words in 1985 when he threatened to veto “any tax increase that Congress might even think of sending up.”
“And I have only one thing to say to the tax increasers: Go ahead. Make my day,” he added.
Abbott said the buses of migrants is giving Adams “a taste” of what border towns go through in Texas.Matthew McDermott
Abbott said there “could hardly be anything better” for him than for Democratic challenger Beto O’Rourke to be “aided by a bunch of New Yorkers.”
“That will not be viewed very positively by the state of Texas,” he said.
Abbott also accused Adams and Gov. Kathy Hochul, both Democrats, of “rank hypocrisy” for attacking his motives for him in responding to what he calls President Biden’s “open border policies.”
“Listen, New York is a sanctuary city,” Abbott said.
A bus carrying migrants from Texas arriving at the Port Authority Bus Terminal on August 10, 2022.AFP Photo by Yuki IWAMURA / AFP) (Photo by YUKI IWAMURA/AFP via Getty Images Getty Images
“Mayor Adams said that they welcome illegal immigrants. And now once they have to deal with the reality of it, they’re suddenly flummoxed and they cannot handle it.”
Abbott added: “They are now getting a taste of what we’re having to deal with… the challenges that Texas is dealing with every day.”
“Only when they see that will the Biden ministration begin to have to realize the Biden administration is gonna have to finally start enforcing the laws passed by Congress that secure the border,” he said.
Migrants getting off the bus in Manhattan after being driven from Texas.Photo by YUKI IWAMURA/AFP via Getty Images
Adams responded during an unrelated afternoon news conference in Queens, saying of Abbott, “I know he thinks he’s Clint Eastwood, but he’s not.” “He is an anti-American governor that is really going against everything we stand for,” Adams blasted in response to a question from The Post. “And I am going to do everything feasible to make sure Texans, the people of Texas, realize how harmful he is to us globally.” Adams then called Abbott a “global embarrassment.” “Because this is not what we do as Americans,” the mayor said. “All of us — and I’m sure if he goes into his lineage, he came from somewhere. And if his ancestors of him were treated the way he’s treating these asylum seekers and migrants, then he would not be where he is right now. The mayor said that “without the proper coordination,” the city was “unable to receive people at one location and give them the support they deserve…but often they end up at our intake centers.” Adams also called on New Yorkers to assist the migrants, saying that “if anyone in the city sees someone that they believe needs the assistance, we’re asking them to point them and direct them to the intake centers.
Abbott’s comments came after three buses dropped off nearly 100 migrants in Manhattan.NY Post/Georgett Roberts
The Biden administration quietly ended the Trump-era “Remain in Mexico” immigration policy Monday — clearing the way for potentially tens of thousands more migrants to enter the US and stay here while their applications for asylum are processed.
The Department of Homeland Security announced it would no longer enroll asylum-seekers in the Migrant Protection Protocols (MPP) program – which forced about 70,000 people back south of the border over the past three years to await their immigration hearings.
Abbott, who began sending migrants to Washington in April, said that “our goal is to, for one, help our local communities and in doing so send even more buses to New York, to DC and maybe even to other communities to alleviate the challenge we dealing with.”
In addition, Abbott said he wanted “to continue to expose this national catastrophe caused by President Biden.”
Three buses packed with migrants from Texas arrived in New York City early Wednesday — welcomed by supporters who thrust $20 bills in their hands.
The buses arrived at the Port Authority Bus Terminal in Midtown, days after Mayor Eric Adams blasted Texas Gov. Greg Abbott as “anti-American” for relocating the asylum-seekers, which Abbott says he is doing to emphasize the crisis being created by the Biden administration allowing asylum seekers to stay in the US while their applications are processed.
The migrants appeared to be a mix of asylum seekers aided with bus tickets by the administration and by independent charities in addition to any shipped up here by the Republican Texas governor. Some had claims that could potentially qualify for asylum being granted while others were simply seeking a better life, which, depending on other circumstances, would not qualify them to stay in the US
Three buses packed with migrants from Texas arrived in New York City early Wednesday.Georgette RobertsSupporters thrust $20 bills into the migrants’ hands as they exited the bus.Georgette RobertsAbbott says he is relocating the migrants to emphasize the crisis being created by the Biden administration.Georgette Roberts
John Torres, who migrated from Colombia as a boy, took a four-hour bus ride from Maryland to New York to greet the new arrivals — with $200 in cash to give away.
“Because it’s the right thing to do,” Torres, 45, told The Post as to why he came. “It’s something that somebody would do for me if I’m in poverty, if I am starting out, someone would do that for me.”
Torres said he empathized with the migrants who arrived with few or no prospects for a job and no family or friends.
“You know, if I’m coming in a bus, if I’m scared, I don’t know where I am going, I don’t know what’s going on or nothing,” Torres said. “at least you know, if somebody gives me something for breakfast, at least I could start out that way, and then buy me a shirt, buy me clothes and then, I don’t know… figure it out from there.”
A City Hall official said Tuesday at least three more buses carrying migrants from Texas would arrive in the Big Apple by Wednesday and keep showing up “basically daily.”Georgette RobertsMajor Eric Adams blasted Texas Gov. Greg Abbott as “anti-American” for relocating the asylum-seekers.Ken Lopez/FreedomNewsTV
One migrant who got off at the Port Authority told The Post he started his trek to America from Venezuela on July 8.
Jairo Gamardo said he crossed into the US via Texas and then spent two days being processed by immigration officials before he was taken to a church in a city where he got onto a bus that headed directly for the Big Apple – stopping only for bathroom breaks.
Gamardo said the government-funded trip was provided to him and other migrants hailing from Texas at no cost. He said he previously worked for the military in Venezuela and was seeking political asylum in the United States.
“It’s a beautiful city,” Gamardo said when asked why he wanted to come to New York.
Gamardo, who doesn’t know anyone in the Big Apple, traveled alone and is now searching for work and better days ahead, he said.
Another native of Venezuela said he worked several jobs back home, but could only earn about $30 monthly — far less than needed to support his family.
“That’s everyone’s dream, to help their families,” Ernesto Bose, 41, told The Post, adding that he hopes to eventually bring his parents and sons to the United States.
Bose said the trip he endured was “horrible,” but thanked the city officials who greeted him in New York.
“Everyone has been so nice and welcoming,” Bose said. “Everyone is so willing to help.”
Ernesto Bose, a 41-year-old native of Venezuela, arrived Wednesday in New York. He told The Post the trip was “horrible,” but he had a warm welcome in the Big Apple. George Roberts
Heading to New York became an option for Bose upon getting bus tickets destined for the city or the nation’s capital from a church in Eagle Pass, Texas, Bose said.
“And it’s the only place that accepts us here like this,” Bose continued.
A City Hall official said Tuesday at least three more buses carrying migrants from Texas would arrive in the Big Apple by Wednesday and keep showing up “basically daily.”
Abbott hired a charter bus company to send the migrants across the country, but the company signed a non-disclosure agreement preventing the city from obtaining details on its itineraries, Immigrant Affairs Commissioner Manuel Castro told reporters Tuesday.
Some 45 migrants got off a bus that arrived in the city on Friday, as Abbott said he planned to continue the program indefinitely, claiming New York City is the “ideal destination” for the migrants due to its services for homeless people.
Adams said Sunday that only 14 migrants had gotten off the bus that officials were “led to believe” held about 40 people. It’s unclear what happened to the others, but Adams said Monday some were sent to “new locations.”
Abbott began relocating migrants to Washington, DC, in April in response to what he calls President Biden’s “open border policies.” City Hall officials estimate around 4,000 migrants in all have arrived in recent weeks.Georgette Roberts
Abbott began relocating migrants to Washington, DC, in April in response to what he calls President Biden’s “open border policies.” City Hall officials estimate around 4,000 migrants in all have arrived in recent weeks.
Torres said he believed Abbott was “trying to do the best he can” by busing the migrants to New York, a sanctuary city.
“But there’s only so many people you can help,” Torres said. “There are thousands of people every day, so I mean I respect his opinion of him but I think you gotta do some reform in each state to help out.”
Major Eric Adams and Texas Gov. Greg Abbott traded barbs — and blame — Monday following the latest arrival of asylum-seeking Mexican-border migrants relocated from the Lone Star State to the Big Apple.
Adams accused Abbott of being “anti-American” for “shipping” busloads of migrants to New York City in response to what the Republican governor calls President Biden’s “open border policies.”
“Be a true American,” Adams said during an unrelated news conference at Corona Flushing Meadows Park in Queens.
“This is a place where the Statue of Liberty sits in the harbor. And we say, ‘Bring us your tired, those who are yearning to be free.’ And that’s what these asylum seekers are doing.’”
Adams added: “And I don’t think anything is more anti-American than shipping people on a bus, 45-hour trip, without any of the basic needs that they have, or direction, or coordination…There is a humanitarian part of being an American and I think that there’s nothing more anti-American than what he’s displaying right now.”
Major Eric Adams called Texas Gov. Greg Abbott “anti-American” for sending buses of migrants to New York City.Matthew McDermottMigrants from the border in Texas arriving at the 42nd Street bus terminal in Manhattan on August 7, 2022.GNMiller/NYPost
“These migrants willingly chose to go to New York City, having signed a voluntary consent waiver, available in multiple languages, upon boarding that they agreed on the destination,” spokeswoman Renae Eze said in a prepared statement.
“If the mayor wants a solution to this crisis, he should call on President Biden to take immediate action to secure the border — something the President continues failing to do.”
Abbott’s office told The Post that about 100 migrants had been sent to New York so far.
On Friday, after 50-plus migrants disembarked at the Port Authority Bus Terminal in Midtown Manhattan, Abbott said he planned to continue the program indefinitely, calling New York City an “ideal destination” due to its generous treatment of homeless people.
On Sunday, Adams said only 14 migrants “got off” a bus that officials were “led to believe” should have held about 40 people.
It’s unclear what happened to the others, but Adams said Monday that some were “re-ticketed and went to new locations.”
City Hall later said they received reports that “nonprofits and church groups” have funded some migrants’ travel to other locations.
A spokesperson for Abbott said it was hypocritical for Adams to be upset at migrants arriving since New York is a “sanctuary city.”Chris Rusanowsky/ZUMA Press WireAccording to Abbott’s office, 100 migrants have been sent to New York so far.foxnews
Adams — who’s said that the city’s shelter system was being overloaded by migrants — also said he’d be taking part in a conference call with the White House as early as Monday afternoon to get “the assistance that we need.”
“When it comes down to hotels, we have a requirement and a mandate by law as being a right-to-shelter city, we have a requirement to house within a period of time and we’re going to use every available means to do so,” he said.
“And that is what we’re doing and we’re living up to that mandate.”
New York City Mayor Eric Adams (D) on Sunday called for federal assistance as the city takes in migrants bussed north by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R).
“@GregAbbott_TX used innocent people as political pawns to manufacture a crisis,” Adams tweeted Sunday.
“New Yorkers are stepping up to fix it — that’s our city’s values,” he added. “But we need the federal government’s help — money, technical assistance and more.”
Abbott says he is bussing migrants to New York City and Washington, DC in protest of President Biden’s immigration policies as border encounters reach record levels.
The first bus destined for The Big Apple arrived on Friday. Adams’s office blasted Abbott upon the bus’s arrival.
Adams reportedly traveled to the Port Authority bus terminal on Sunday to greet an arriving bus.
“This is horrific, when you think about what the governor is doing,” Adams said at the terminal, Politico reported.
The outlet reported that Adams said some of the families wanted to go to other locations but were forced on the bus.
“Our goal is to immediately find out each family’s needs and give them the assistance they want,” Adams said, according to Politico.
Abbott said in a statement on Friday that New York City, along with Washington, DC, was “the ideal destination for these migrants, who can receive the abundance of city services and housing that Mayor Eric Adams has boasted about within the sanctuary city.”
“I hope he follows through on his promise of welcoming all migrants with open arms so that our overrun and overwhelmed border towns can find relief,” Abbott continued.
DC Major Muriel Bowser (D) in mid-July requested the National Guard’s help as her city also received bussed migrants.
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin turned down Bowser’s request, with a defense official saying Austin determined deploying the guard would “negatively impact the readiness” of the force.
The Hill has reached out to the White House for comment on Adams’ latest request for federal assistance.
Even border crossers are too scared of the crime-ridden Big Apple.
Mayor Adams tried to greet the latest bus load of migrants to get shipped in from Texas early Sunday — but was horrified to find the vast majority had already skipped, admitting it was likely through “fear” of the city.
“We were led to believe about 40 people should have been on that bus. Only 14 got off,” said Adams, whom The Post caught having heated words with an organizer during the alarming, unexpected 7 am no-show at Midtown’s Port Authority Bus Terminal.
Around 10 people got off the bus early Sunday, joining at least 50 who have already arrived in NYC.foxnews“We’ve got to work together — we’re not on different sides here,” Major Eric Adams said to a woman directing the arriving migrants.Lev Radin/Sipa USA
The mayor suggested that the most likely reason was “that because of the fear that something was going to happen to them if they came to this location, people got off earlier.”
“And we are concerned about that because we don’t want people being dropped off [just] anywhere,” he said as the handful who did get off, including young kids, were processed and then led out to cabs.
The Post filmed Adams having a testy exchange with a woman who had helped shout orders in Spanish to get the handful of arrivals off the bus.
The asylum-seekers come from Texas, where Gov. Greg Abbott has been shipping them to Democratic regions.foxnews
“We’ve got to work together — we’re not on different sides here, we have to work together,” Adams told the woman — who abruptly turned and walked off.
He later complained about the lack of info from Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, who has been shipping the migrants to Democratic regions to ease what he calls a “crisis caused” by “open border policies.”
“They’re not letting us know when the buses are leaving. They’re not letting us know what are the needs of the people on the bus. They are not giving us any information so we’re unable to really provide the service to people en route,” Adams complained of Abbott’s team.
“We would like to get that information,” he said.
The 14 who did get off at Port Authority early Sunday join at least 50 who have already been shipped her, with the first bus arriving Friday. They will be taken to the city’s already overburdened shelters, or assisted moving elsewhere if they have somewhere arranged to stay, the mayor said.
However, Adams told The Post he has no interest in asking President Biden or federal agencies to change the border policy and ease the flow.
“Nope. As the mayor of the city of New York, I don’t weigh into immigration issues, border issues — I have to provide services for families that are here,” he told The Post.
“I’m proud that this is a right-to-shelter state. And we are going to continue to do that,” he said.
Sunday’s arrivals were walked to a special processing area staffed by City Hall staff, with “NYC Public Engagement Unit” signs on laptops — and tote bags with supplies, including boxed meals, ready for arrivals.
The area was tightly restricted from prying eyes as the latest border-crossers arrived.
However, once they left the terminal, a small group of activists greeted them, shouting “refugees are welcome here” and “refugees, welcome to New York.”
The first busload of migrants arrived Friday, just days after Adams turned down Abbott’s invitation to visit the southern border to “see firsthand the dire situation” there.
Abbott has vowed to continue sending them to New York, which he has called an “ideal destination” due to the city’s generous treatment of homeless people. He has also sent more than 6,100 to Washington, DC, since April, which local leaders say has led to crisis.
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Gov. Greg Abbott has appointed an indicted Austin police officer accused of using excessive force during 2020 protests to Texas’ regulatory law enforcement agency.
Justin Berry was among 19 Austin police officers indicted earlier this year in the protests spurred by the murder of George Floyd by a Minneapolis police officer. Berry is charged with two counts of aggravated assault by a public servant.
He also ran as a Republican for Texas House District 19 but lost in the primary runoff election this year. Abbott had endorsed Berry in the race, saying his “strong conservative values and experience stopping violent crime are exactly what we need in the Texas House.”
Now, at the governor’s hand, Berry will serve on the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement, which sets minimum licensing and training standards for police. Abbott did not immediately respond to The Texas Tribune’s request for comment, but in a press release announcing Berry’s appointment Friday, he said the commission ensures “that the people of Texas are served by highly trained and ethical law enforcement, corrections, and telecommunications personnel. ” Berry posted a statement to Twitter on Friday but did not respond to requests for comments.
“The demands and expectations of today’s professional police officer have never been so great,” Berry said about his appointment via Twitter. “I look forward to ensuring Texas has the best police officers in the world. Ensuring those who answer the call to serve their respective communities have the training and resources necessary to be set up for success are a priority to not only keeping Texan’s safe but ensuring trust is earned and maintained by those very communities.”
Sara Mokuria, co-founder of Mothers Against Police Brutality, said Abbott’s decision to appoint Berry to TCOLE is dangerous, not based on public safety and flies in the face of “what’s in the best interests of Texans.”
“This is an indicted officer who is now part of the body licensing and regulating law enforcement agencies,” Mokuria said. “It’s a move in the wrong direction, and it makes us unsafe. And, quite frankly, it’s a message that has been reiterated from the governor’s mansion over and over again, whether that be families in Uvalde who were not safe to send their kids to school, or all Texas residents during the winter storm. Our lives and our safety have consistently been put at risk because of this governor.”
Berry’s exact role in the Floyd protests is unclear, but Austin officers grievously wounded several people after shooting them with “less-lethal” ammunition in the head. That included a 20-year-old Black man police said was not their intended target after a nearby man tossed a water bottle and backpack up toward steps where police were in formation. Video also showed a 16-year-old Hispanic boy collapsing to the ground after police fired a beanbag bullet at him while he was standing alone near the freeway.
The violent police tactics during the protests against police violence were heavily criticized. Along with the indictments of 19 officers, the city of Austin agreed to a $10 million civil settlement with two men shot by police with beanbag rounds, including the 20-year-old.
Chas Moore, executive director of the Austin Justice Coalition, said Abbott appointing Berry despite his indictment “isn’t surprising.” Moore feels the governor said all of the politically correct things after Floyd’s murder but followed up with inaction.
“He’s never cared about making sure that everybody can be safe,” the activist said. “He doesn’t care about the national conversation that happened in 2020, where every state had some form of protest for George Floyd and Breonna Taylor, you know. He’s a diehard Texas Republican.”
Eleanor Klibanoff contributed to this story.
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Texas Gov. Greg Abbott’s office vowed Friday to send even more busloads of border-crossers to the Big Apple — as the Lone Star State continues to grapple with the ongoing migrant crisis.
The Republican governor said the Port Authority Bus Terminal in midtown Manhattan would be a drop-off spot going forward after the first busload from the border arrived in the city Friday morning.
“Over 50 migrants were bused to New York City this morning from the southern border in Texas,” Abbott’s office said in a statement.
“This is now a drop-off location for our ongoing seeking strategy.”
Abbott has already dispatched dozens of buses — filled with more than 6,100 migrants — to Washington DC since April.
He vowed to continue to charter buses to both New York and the nation’s capital as his state struggles to deal with the unprecedented number of migrants illegally crossing the US-Mexico border.
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott talks with Fox News’ Jesse Waters on border issues.foxnewsMigrants plead for hospitality after arriving at the Port Authority Bus Terminal.foxnews
“Because of President Biden’s continued refusal to acknowledge the crisis caused by his open border policies, the State of Texas has had to take unprecedented action to keep our communities safe,” Abbott said in announcing the arrival of the bus at Port Authority Gate 14.
“In addition to Washington, DC, New York City is the ideal destination for these migrants, who can receive the abundance of city services and housing that Mayor Eric Adams has boasted about within the sanctuary city.
“I hope he follows through on his promise of welcoming all migrants with open arms so that our overrun and overwhelmed border towns can find relief.”
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott vowed to send more migrant buses to the Big Apple.foxnews
Adams, who has already warned that NYC’s homeless shelters are being overrun by migrants, turned down Abbott’s invitation to visit the border earlier this week to see the “dire situation” firsthand.
Abbott told Fox News’ Jesse Watters Thursday night that he wished Adams and DC Mayor Muriel Bowser would reconsider his offer.
“They do need to realize the magnitude of the chaos created by Biden’s open-border policies,” Abbott said.
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott hopes Mayor Eric Adams will accommodate the migrants.foxnewsTexas Gov. Greg Abbott previously invited Mayor Eric Adams to visit the US-Mexico border.Chris Rusanowsky/ZUMA Press Wire
“They’re up in arms about a few thousand people coming into their communities over the past few months? Listen, in any one sector in the state of Texas, we have more than 5,000 people coming across [the border] in that sector every single day.”
“We’re full in the state of Texas,” Abbott added. “Our communities are overrun, and I started busing people to Washington DC, when local officials could not handle the number of people that had come across our border.”
Just days after Mayor Eric Adams turned down Greg Abbott’s invitation to visit the southern border, the Texas governor sent a taste of the ongoing migrant emerging to NYC’s doorstep — with the first busload of border-crossers arriving in Manhattan Friday morning.
The Republican governor revealed in a statement that the migrant bus arrived at Gate 14 of the Port Authority Bus Terminal, but did not provide any additional details — such as how many people were on board or their countries of origin.
The arrival of the migrants comes as Abbott has dispatched dozens of buses to Washington DC since April, transporting more than 6,100 migrants to the nation’s capital in “response to the Biden administration’s open border policies overwhelming Texas communities.”
“Because of President Biden’s continued refusal to acknowledge the crisis caused by his open border policies, the State of Texas has had to take unprecedented action to keep our communities safe,” Abbott said in his Friday statement.
“In addition to Washington, DC, New York City is the ideal destination for these migrants, who can receive the abundance of city services and housing that Mayor Eric Adams has boasted about within the sanctuary city. I hope he follows through on his promise of welcoming all migrants with open arms so that our overrun and overwhelmed border towns can find relief,” he continued.
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott announced the first bus full of migrants has arrived at the Port Authority Bus Terminal.foxnewsTexas Gov. Greg Abbott hopes Mayor Eric Adams will welcome the migrants arriving in the Big Apple.foxnewsTexas Gov. Greg Abbott accused Democrats of causing a “historic and preventable crisis.”foxnews
In the governor’s announcement, his office pointed to New York City’s right to housing laws which require the local government to provide “emergency shelter for every unhoused person.”
Already, Adams has warned that the homeless shelters in the city are being overloaded with migrants. Previous reporting by The Post confirmed a Department of Homeless Service intake center in the Bronx as well as the Bellevue men’s shelter in Manhattan have seen a growing number of migrants arrive in recent days.
City Hall Press Secretary Fabien Levy later told The Post, “Governor Abbott is finally admitting to what we’ve known he’s been doing all along. His continued use of human beings as political pawns is disgusting, and an embarrassing stain on the state of Texas.”
“New York will continue to welcome asylum seekers with open arms, as we have always have, but we are asking for resources to help do so. We need Washington, DC’s assistance in dealing with the cruel political games being played by inept politicians like the governor of Texas,” Levy added.
Fox & friends interviews a migrant.foxnews
Last month, Adams claimed Texas and Arizona had already been transporting migrants to the Big Apple, and called on President Biden to provide federal resources to handle the influx.
However, that assertion was rejected by both Abbott and Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey, who insisted it was the federal government sending migrants to New York.
In response, Abbott Adams invited to visit the southern border to “see firsthand the dire situation.”
The Post has previously reported that Manhattan shelters are experiencing a high volume of migrants seeking refuge.foxnews
“Your recent interest in this historic and preventable crisis is a welcomed development – especially as the President and his Administration have shown no remorse for their actions nor desire to address the situation themselves,” Abbott said this week.
“As Governor, I invite you to visit our border region to see firsthand the fire situation that only grows more urgent with each passing day, and to meet with the local officials, who like yourselves, realize this matter deserves immediate federal action.”
Abbott reiterated his invitations to Adams and DC Mayor Muriel Bowser during an appearance on Fox News Thursday night.
“I really wish they would [come down] because public officials across the country, they do need to realize the magnitude of the chaos created by Biden’s open-border policies,” Abbott told host Jesse Watters. “They’re up in arms about a few thousand people coming into their communities over the past few months? Listen, in any one sector in the state of Texas, we have more than 5,000 people coming across [the border] in that sector every single day.”
“We’re full in the state of Texas,” Abbott added. “Our communities are overrun, and I start busing people to Washingon DC, when local officials could not handle the number of people that had come across our border.”
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott claimed the migrants can find shelter thanks to New York City’s housing laws.foxnews
All of the migrants who have arrived in Washington and New York via the governor’s bus transportation have gone there voluntarily, since they are permitted to travel within the US after being processed by Customs and Border Protection.
Typically, when migrants are released from federal custody after crossing the border and evading expulsion, they are given paperwork allowing them to stay in the US as well as an order to appear in immigration court when their cases can be heard.
In July, Bowser requested help from the National Guard to address the influx of migrants arriving in the city.
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott argued he had no choice but to send the migrants to New York after sending busloads to Washington, DC.foxnewsA migrant gives a thumbs up after arriving at the Port Authority Bus Terminal.foxnews
“Our collective response and service efforts have now become overwhelmed,” Bowser wrote in a July 19 request to Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin.
“[O]our homeless services system is already under great strain; and tragically, many families arrive in Washington, DC with nowhere to go, or they remain in limbo seeking onward destinations across the United States.
“With pledges from Texas and Arizona to continue these abhorrent operations indefinitely, the situation is dire,” the mayor added, “and we consider this a humanitarian crisis – one that could overwhelm our social support network without immediate and sustained federal intervention.”
