State of Texas: Big Bend construction paused, but for how long?

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State of Texas 8-23-26 FULL SHOW

State of Texas 8-23-26 FULL SHOW

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AUSTIN (Nexstar) – The Trump administration temporarily stopped construction on a controversial border security infrastructure project in Big Bend National Park. The move comes after bipartisan pushback to the plan.

Earlier this month, images of bulldozers tearing up land and clearing vegetation in the park sparked outrage across the state. Officials with U.S. Customs and Border Protection defended the project, emphasizing that the plan focused on vehicle barriers and road improvements.

The park covers more than 1,252 square miles of land. State Sen. Cesar Blanco (D – El Paso) represents a district that includes large areas of the park. In an interview, he spoke about why the area holds special significance for many Texans.

“Well, it’s one of the most remote places on Earth. It’s beautiful. Lots of wildlife, lots of beautiful plants, landscapes, sunsets,” Blanco explained. “It’s just a place where your cell phone doesn’t work and you can be one with nature.”

“So it’s very important for not just our region, but really for the world,” he added.

After the pause in construction, Blanco traveled to the park to see the aftermath. He posted video on social media showing where construction equipment had cut a path through part of the park.

“This is God’s country. And what’s happening at Big Bend is devastating,” Sen. Blanco wrote in his post. “Once this landscape is destroyed, we can’t simply get it back.”

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Senator Blanco Interview 8-21-26

Senator Blanco Interview 8-21-26

On Tuesday, Sen. Blanco joined a group that met with Rodney Scott, Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection. He said the commissioner was receptive to the concerns Blanco has been hearing from Texans.

“He acknowledged that that CBP moved very quickly and did not do the consultation that should have happened before construction. He apologized. And I think that acknowledgment is important,” Blanco said.

“My message to the commissioner was pretty simple. We can secure the border while protecting the people, the communities, and the natural resources that make Big Bend a special place,” Blanco said of the meeting. The Senator said he highlighted options to use technology as well as placing more agents on foot, on horseback, on ATVs to provide security without damaging natural habitat.

While construction is on hold, it’s not clear how long the pause will last. Blanco says the crucial question is what happens next with the project. He said Scott told him a decision would come in a couple of weeks as to when work would resume. Blanco said it’s not clear what the project will entail moving forward.

“The commissioner was very clear that CBP’s intent is not to build a border wall inside Big Bend National Park, and I appreciate that commitment. But a wall is not the only concern,” Blanco........

© The Hill