It is not an understatement to say that the southern border of the United States is a hot mess. Indeed, the immigration controversy is certain to become a major issue in next year’s Presidential campaigns. In the latest round of conflict, the Biden administration and the Department of Justice are threatening Texas Governor Greg Abbott with a lawsuit over his attempt to stop the crisis at the southern border; in other words, doing the federal government’s job for them.

Texas Governor. Greg Abbott trolled the Biden administration in two tweets Sunday as he faced an upcoming lawsuit from the Department of Justice over the state’s efforts at securing its border with Mexico.

In a Tweet, Abbott praised the border security team for seizing 422 million deadly doses of fentanyl. He said that President Obama’s incompetence allowed fentanyl into the U.S.-Mexico Border.

“Texas Has Seized More Than 422 Million Lethal Doses of Fentanyl Since 2021. More than enough to kill all Americans,” the Texas governor wrote. “We have also made 394,200 illegal-immigrant apprehensions and 31,300 criminal arrests. All because Biden is not doing his job.”

Governor Abbott has claimed that Washington is to blame for this. He also asserts Texas’ right as a sovereign nation to protect its borders.

He wrote, “Texas has the right to defend its border both under the U.S. Constitution and the Texas Constitution.” “We sent numerous letters to the Biden administration outlining our authority and I personally handed the letter over to President Biden at the beginning of this year. ”

“Texas is stepping up to address this crisis,” Gov. Abbott continued. “We will continue to deploy every strategy to protect Texans and Americans — and the migrants risking their lives. We will see you in court, Mr. President.”

This could be an exciting court case.

Although today’s courts seem reluctant to address issues of such magnitude, the nation has faced even greater divisions in years past.

The Constitution’s Article 1, Section 8 clearly gives Congress the power to impose tariffs.

Congress has the authority to levy and collect taxes, duties, and imposts in order to pay off the United States debts and to provide for their general welfare and defense. All taxes, duties, and excises in the United States must be uniform.

Congress passed tariffs in 1828 on agricultural raw products like hemp, sugar, and cotton. They were revised in 1832. Vice President John Calhoun, in protest, left his post and returned to speak for South Carolina in the Senate. South Carolina adopted an Ordinance of Nullification. The Ordinance of Nullification declared tariffs “null and null” as well as not binding the state, officers, or citizens. This was an important issue in the lead-up to the American Civil War.

A similar scenario could occur, but Governor Abbott would be nullifying himself by his deliberate inaction. It is an interesting question. What would he do if the State of Texas was ordered to cease enforcement and remove all barriers along its border with Mexico by a federal court?

Governor Abbott will say the same thing as Andrew Jackson before him: “The court made its decision. Let them enforce it now.” Jackson’s actions, the Trail of Tears, were horrendous. Abbott’s moral high ground is more clearly defined. He’s trying to enforce laws in place for decades to protect Australia from an unknown invasion of millions.

The conflict between Texas and Washington could be as significant as nullification. I’m betting that Texas will win this one. Whatever happens, it will remain in the history books for many years to come.

The schools will still be teaching history in a few years.