As opposition to border wall grows, Texas must choose: the will of its people, or Trump?

The Trump Administration is planning to build a federal border wall through “cherished” state land in Texas, triggering strong opposition from residents, Martha Pskowski writes for Inside Climate News. Now, Texas Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham, a republican, must choose between supporting President Trump’s border wall or catering to public opinion — all while she's up for re-election.

The border wall would cut off many ranchers from the Rio Grande, their primary water source. Buckingham has sent cease-and-desist letters to federal contractors who cleared state land for the planned wall without permission, stating that “Texas sovereignty will not be infringed upon by failure to follow established protocol." The federal government, for its part, has yet to give up its plans for a border wall through the region.

The proposed border wall would go through Texas’ Big Bend region, including Big Bend Ranch State Park. Buckingham has said she supports a virtual wall in West Texas. which would use detection technology rather than a physical barrier. "Bill Addington, a resident of Sierra Blanca whose family has ranched in Hudspeth County for generations, said Buckingham should take a clear stance against the wall," Inside Climate News reports.