Abbott chose Mike Banks for the role, which solely entails combatting the destruction he says the federal government has caused. President Joe Biden has overseen record surges in illegal migration at the southern border, with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) recording more than 2.3 million migrant encounters in fiscal year 2022.

“He has a proven record of going toe to toe with the cartels and winning. Now, he will bring that winning record to help protect Texas from Biden’s open border policies,” Abbott said.

In his new position, Banks will oversee the construction of new portions of the border wall, Abbott said. He will also coordinate with state authorities and landowners.

[This is yet another opportunity to cross swords with the White House, and to force the media to cover it. Abbott and DeSantis are working hard on the latter strategy especially. — Ed]