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Greg Abbott

Gov. Greg Abbott surrounded by children at a bill signing. | Bob Daemmrich/ZUMAPRESS/Newscom

Social Media

Legislation Will Not Protect Kids Online

New laws aimed at protecting kids online won’t work, and could even make things worse. Parents, not politicians, are the best defense against digital dangers.

Devin McCormick and Tom Pandolfi | 7.1.2025 11:05 AM

Texas Governor Greg Abbott speaks next to the American flag | Bob Daemmrich/Zuma Press/Newscom

Campus Free Speech

Texas Legislators Say They Are Protecting Free Speech on Campus by Banning 'Expressive Activities' at Night

A bill awaiting the governor's signature represents a stark reversal from a 2019 law aimed at promoting "uninhibited debate."

Jacob Sullum | 6.19.2025 3:20 PM

an ad for Draggieland at Texas A&M University | Draggieland/Facebook

Campus Free Speech

Texas A&M's Drag Ban Shows the Threat to Campus Free Speech Is Bipartisan

Conservatives are picking up the unconstitutional weapons that intolerant progressives have deployed against them.

Jacob Sullum | 3.26.2025 12:01 AM

A smartphone screen depicting social media apps YouTube, Facebook, Snapchat, Telegram, Twitter (now X), Instagram, Whatsapp, Skype, Reddit, etc. | Bigtunaonline | Dreamstime.com

Social Media

Can Differences in 'Misinformation' Sharing Explain Political Disparities in Social Media Suspensions?

A new study finds that conservatives are especially likely to share information from sources that a "politically balanced" sample of Republicans and Democrats deemed untrustworthy.

Jacob Sullum | 10.10.2024 3:30 PM

Daniel Perry enters court after he was convicted in 2023 of murdering Garrett Foster in 2020 | YouTube

Criminal Justice

Daniel Perry's Pardon Makes a Mockery of Self-Defense

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott takes a tactic from the progressive prosecutors he says he opposes.

Billy Binion | 5.17.2024 4:59 PM

Migrants crossing the U.S.-Mexico border | David Peinado/ZUMAPRESS/Newscom

Immigration

Texas Barred From Detaining Border-Crossers

Plus: Cuba's collapse, D.C.'s crime rate, Austin's housing market, and more...

Liz Wolfe | 3.19.2024 9:31 AM

U.S. Supreme Court building | W.scott Mcgill/Dreamstime.com

Supreme Court

Supreme Court Tells Texas to Hold On

Plus: More reactions to the Supreme Court's other decision in the Trump ballot disqualification case, D.C.'s continued minimum wage confusion, California's primary elections, and more...

Christian Britschgi | 3.5.2024 9:45 AM

Greg Abbott speaks into a microphone |  Bob Daemmrich/Zuma Press/Newscom

Immigration

More on Why Immigration is not "Invasion"

Legal scholars Frank Bowman and Steve Vladeck weigh in on Texas's dangerous argument.

Ilya Somin |The Volokh Conspiracy | 1.31.2024 3:32 PM

Migrants wading through water near a razor wire barrier | Bob Daemmrich/ZUMAPRESS/Newscom

Borders

Politics Created the Border Crisis

Plus: A listener asks if libertarians are too obsessed with economic growth.

Matt Welch, Katherine Mangu-Ward, Nick Gillespie, and Peter Suderman | 1.29.2024 5:00 PM

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott pictured giving remarks at a press conference | Bob Daemmrich/ZUMAPRESS/Newscom

Immigration

The Twisted Logic of Greg Abbott's Border Policy

Undocumented immigrants aren’t the same as an invading army, but the Texas governor keeps acting like they are.

Fiona Harrigan | 1.26.2024 4:05 PM

Greg Abbott speaks into a microphone |  Bob Daemmrich/Zuma Press/Newscom

Texas

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott Doubles Down On Dangerous Claim that Immigration is "Invasion"

The argument is badly wrong, and would set a dangerous precedent if ever accepted by courts.

Ilya Somin |The Volokh Conspiracy | 1.25.2024 4:40 PM

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott gives remarks in November 2023 | Bob Daemmrich/ZUMAPRESS/Newscom

Immigration

Texas' New Immigration Law Will Lead to More Policing With Less Accountability

S.B. 4 will let officers arrest people well beyond the border. It also “provides civil immunity and indemnification” for state officials who get sued for enforcing it.

Fiona Harrigan | 12.19.2023 3:30 PM

migrants at the border | Bob Daemmrich/ZUMAPRESS/Newscom

Immigration

Southern Border Showdown

Plus: Houthi attack, Milei misinformation, Instagram rooster eugenics, and more...

Liz Wolfe | 12.19.2023 9:30 AM

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott speaks about school choice behind a lectern labeled "Parents Matter" | Amanda McCoy/TNS/Newscom

School Choice

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott Targets School Choice Opponents in GOP Ranks

Americans want choice in education. Politicians need to catch up.

J.D. Tuccille | 12.6.2023 7:00 AM

Texas Department of Public Safety black vehicle. | From March 2021 to July 2023, 74 people were killed and nearly 200 were injured in vehicle chases occurring in counties affected by Operation Lone Star.

Police Abuse

Texas Troopers Killed 74 People in Vehicle Chases Since Implementing Controversial Border Program

From March 2021 to July 2023, 74 people were killed and nearly 200 were injured in vehicle chases occurring in counties affected by Operation Lone Star.

Emma Camp | 11.28.2023 4:31 PM

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and Texas Gov. Greg Abbott | Ron Lyon/Zuma Press/Newscom; Luiz C. Ribeiro/TNS/Newscom

First Amendment

Defenders of the Florida and Texas Social Media Laws Contradict Themselves

If Facebook et al. are pushing a "radical leftist narrative," why don’t they have a constitutional right to do that?

Jacob Sullum | 10.4.2023 12:01 AM

topicsphoto | Photo: Eric Gay/Associated Press

Border Crossings

Photo: Texas' Border Buoys

The state's floating barrier on the Rio Grande will cost about $1 million.

Katherine Mangu-Ward | 9.14.2023 6:30 AM

Greg Abbott speaks into a microphone |  Bob Daemmrich/Zuma Press/Newscom

Criminal Justice

Greg Abbott's Pardon Promise Ignores the Shakiness of Daniel Perry's Self-Defense Claim

A Texas jury unanimously rejected Perry’s assertion that Garrett Foster pointed a rifle at him.

Jacob Sullum | 4.26.2023 12:01 AM

Silhouettes of students pictures in front of a map of Texas | Illustration: Lex Villena, Stacey Lynn Payne

Immigration

Texas Bill Would Bar Citizens of China, Iran, North Korea, and Russia From Studying at State Universities

H.B. 4736 would punish foreigners who are, in many cases, deliberately building lives far away from their repressive countries.

Fiona Harrigan | 3.18.2023 6:00 AM

Members of the Texas National Guard and Texas Department of Public Safety speak to asylum seekers at the U.S.-Mexico border in El Paso | J.R. Hernandez/ZUMAPRESS/Newscom

Immigration

Texas Bill Would Create Unit of Unaccountable Border Cops

All officers and employees of the unit would “have immunity from criminal and civil liability” for performing the activities authorized by H.B. 20.

Fiona Harrigan | 3.15.2023 5:25 PM

An aerial photo of a neighborhood outside Austin, Texas | Photo 82904776 © Bryan Roschetzky | Dreamstime.com

Immigration

This Texas Bill Could Bar Certain Immigrants From Buying Property in the State

Gov. Greg Abbott has already announced that he’d sign the bill if passed.

Fiona Harrigan | 2.6.2023 5:01 PM

Venezuelans Fleeing Socialism 2 | NA

Immigration

Twenty Red States File Badly Flawed Lawsuit Seeking to Terminate Private Sponsorship Program for People Fleeing Socialism and Oppression in Four Latin American Nations

The flaws in the states' position are revealed by their own governors' statements about the evils of socialism and the crisis at the border.

Ilya Somin |The Volokh Conspiracy | 1.25.2023 4:15 PM

Texas Governor Greg Abbott | Illustration: Lex Villena

Social Media

Subreddit Gets Users To Call Texas Gov. Greg Abbott a 'Little Piss Baby' To Defy Content Moderation Law

Reddit users are protesting Texas' H.B. 20, which forces social media platforms to host speech they find objectionable.

Liz Wolfe | 9.27.2022 11:46 AM

Image of cannabis leaves | MIS Photography

Politics

Most Texans Want To Legalize Marijuana. Why Doesn't Greg Abbott Listen to Them?

The governor, like Republican politicians in other red states where support for legalization is surprisingly strong, does not seem to think it is risky to defy public opinion.

Jacob Sullum | 8.17.2022 3:45 PM

Texas gubernatorial candidate Beto O'Rourke misleadingly implies that AR-15s are more powerful than rifles that legislators do not classify as "assault weapons." | F. Carter Smith/SplashNews/Newscom

Assault Weapon Ban

The 'Motherfucker' Who Enraged Beto O'Rourke Laughed at His Claims About the Rifles He Wants To Confiscate

The Texas gubernatorial candidate's interpretation reflects his assumption that opponents of "assault weapon" bans don't care about murdered schoolchildren.

Jacob Sullum | 8.12.2022 1:15 PM

Texas Governor Greg Abbott speaks next to the American flag | Bob Daemmrich/Zuma Press/Newscom

Government Spending

Greg Abbott Spent $1,400 a Head To Bus Migrants to D.C. for a Political Stunt

Texas taxpayers might be stuck footing the hefty bill for Abbott's busing scheme.

Fiona Harrigan | 6.23.2022 5:21 PM

zumaamericasthirtytwo419278 | Bob Daemmrich/ZUMAPRESS/Newscom

Borders

Greg Abbott Screwed Over Truck Drivers in a Misguided Attempt to Increase Border Security

The new inspection initiative duplicated screenings that were already being carried out, irking trade officials and truckers—even those who have supported Abbott up until this point.

Fiona Harrigan | 4.15.2022 4:55 PM

zumaglobaleleven690454 | Bob Daemmrich/ZUMAPRESS/Newscom

Immigration

Greg Abbott Has Used Migrants as Political Pawns Again and Again. Now, He Says He'll Bus Them to Capitol Hill.

Given his track record, it isn’t surprising that Abbott would opt for a blusterous anti-migrant spectacle that comes at the expense of Texas taxpayers.

Fiona Harrigan | 4.7.2022 5:01 PM

Greg-Abbott-12-5-21-Newscom | Bob Daemmrich/Zuma Press/Newscom

Mask Mandates

5th Circuit Temporarily Restores Greg Abbott's Ban on School Mask Mandates

The appeals court is skeptical of the claim that the Texas governor's order illegally discriminates against people with disabilities.

Jacob Sullum | 12.6.2021 1:45 PM

Greg-Abbott-9-24-21-Newscom-3 | Bob Daemmrich/Zuma Press/Newscom

First Amendment

Here Is Why a Federal Judge Blocked Enforcement of the Texas Social Media Law

Gov. Greg Abbott attacks First Amendment rights in the name of defending them.

Jacob Sullum | 12.3.2021 3:30 PM

Greg-Abbott-9-24-21-Newscom-2 | Bob Daemmrich/Zuma Press/Newscom

Masks

A Ruling Against Greg Abbott Suggests Federal Law May Require Schools To Mandate Masks

A federal judge concluded that the Texas governor's ban on mask mandates illegally discriminated against students with disabilities.

Jacob Sullum | 11.12.2021 2:10 PM

Greg-Abbott-9-24-21-Newscom | Bob Daemmrich/Zuma Press/Newscom

First Amendment

The Texas Social Media Law Is Blatantly Unconstitutional

Government restrictions on private editorial discretion violate the First Amendment.

Jacob Sullum | 9.29.2021 12:01 AM

dreamstime_xxl_226761634 | Photo 226761634 © Martinmark | Dreamstime.com

Coronavirus

Vaccine Passports Should Be Neither Mandatory Nor Forbidden

Pro-freedom politicians want to restrict private enterprise, while civil liberties proponents want to violate your bodily autonomy.

Billy Binion | 9.2.2021 5:18 PM

Greg-Abbott-6-21-21-Newscom | Bob Daemmrich/Zuma Press/Newscom

Coronavirus

If Texas Businesses Are Free To Require Face Masks, Why Can't They Require Proof of Vaccination?

Gov. Greg Abbott's position on private vaccination requirements is confused and confusing.

Jacob Sullum | 8.16.2021 3:10 PM

Austin-voting-rights-protest-7-12-21-Newscom | Bob Daemmrich/Zuma Press/Newscom

Voting Rights

Are Republicans Who Support New Voting Restrictions Racist or Just Partisan?

Each major party portrays the other as a deadly threat to democracy.

Jacob Sullum | 7.14.2021 4:05 PM

zumaamericasthirtyone409753 | Bob Daemmrich/ZUMAPRESS/Newscom

Immigration

Greg Abbott's Border Wall Plan Is Doomed To Fail

The Texas governor wants to keep incoming migrants out at all costs. But those costs are insurmountable.

Fiona Harrigan | 6.29.2021 1:50 PM

polphotos324116 | Polaris/Newscom

Immigration

Gov. Greg Abbott Will Reportedly Separate Families and Throw Some Undocumented Migrants in Prison

In 2018, the Republican said family separations were "tragic and heart-rending."

Billy Binion | 6.18.2021 2:10 PM

krtphotoslive889441 | RICARDO B. BRAZZIELL/TNS/Newscom

Coronavirus

The Pandemic Is a Case for Policy Humility

Politicians and policymakers know less than they think they do, in part because they have less power over our lives than they assume.

Peter Suderman | 6.9.2021 8:59 AM

dreamstime_xxl_213793947-2 | Photo 213793947 © Wachiwit | Dreamstime.com

Fifth Amendment

In a Rush To Ban Vaccine Passports, Texas Is Violating Private Property Rights

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott says he stands for freedom. That doesn't apply to business owners.

Billy Binion | 6.8.2021 3:53 PM

Greg-Abbott-Gage-Skidmore-flickr-2-cropped | Gage Skidmore/Flickr

Coronavirus

A New Study Confirms That Reopening Texas '100 Percent' Had No Discernible Impact on COVID-19 Cases or Deaths

Critics said Gov. Greg Abbott's decision was "extraordinarily dangerous" and reflected "Neanderthal thinking."

Jacob Sullum | 5.21.2021 2:35 PM

Greg-Abbott-2-17-21-Newscom-2 | Bob Daemmrich/Zuma Press/Newscom

Coronavirus

Texas Has Hundreds of Thousands of Coronavirus Carriers. The Governor Is Worried About 'Hundreds' of COVID-Positive Migrants.

Greg Abbott's fear is hard to take seriously, but it jibes with hoary stereotypes about immigrants.

Jacob Sullum | 3.5.2021 2:30 PM

Greg-Abbott-2-17-21-Newscom | Bob Daemmrich/Zuma Press/Newscom

Coronavirus

Is Greg Abbott Inviting Disaster in Texas by Lifting COVID-19 Restrictions?

The governor's new policy represents a pretty modest shift from the existing rules.

Jacob Sullum | 3.3.2021 1:15 PM

a magnified image of the COVID-19 virus | Yakobchuk/Dreamstime

Coronavirus

Would a National Lockdown Have Saved the U.S. From COVID-19?

A comparison of Texas and California suggests that legal edicts matter less than The New York Times thinks.

Jacob Sullum | 1.18.2021 2:20 PM

krtphotoslive874553 | JAY JANNER/TNS/Newscom

Death Penalty

New DNA Evidence Likely Exonerates a Texas Death Row Inmate. The Government Won't Test It.

Rodney Reed is set to die by lethal injection in less than two weeks.

Billy Binion | 11.8.2019 9:00 AM

ev-IWJH-l-vb4k-unsplash | Unsplash / @evstyle

Homelessness

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott Spreads Fake News About Austin Homelessness

The video Abbott shared was not of a homeless person—it was a mentally ill person having a serious episode. Whoops.

Liz Wolfe | 11.1.2019 1:35 PM

Large image on homepages

Policy

How Do You Like Greg Abbott's New, Improved Constitution?

The Texas governor suggests nine amendments "to restore the rule of law."

Jacob Sullum | 1.12.2016 9:35 AM

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