Rep. Dean Phillips Announces Candidacy for President

As the 2024 presidential race slowly begins to heat up, Representative Dean Phillips (D-MN) has announced his candidacy for president. The Minnesota congressman would join several Republicans and a few Democrats in challenging incumbent President Joe Biden (D).

Pres. Biden has the approval of many of his Democratic colleagues. However, some polls that show that many Americans would like a younger president. Rep. Phillips expressed his awareness of these surveys as well as his concern about letting former president Donald Trump (R) become president again.

"I will not sit still, I will not be quiet in the face of numbers that are so clearly saying we're going to be facing an emergency next November," said Rep. Phillips.

At 54, Phillips is considerably younger than 80-year-old Biden, yet he has much less experience than the aged and seasoned president. Phillips is currently in his third term as a congressman and recently stepped down from a position in leadership to focus on his upcoming 2024 campaign.

The businessman and congressman is known for his bipartisanship and is a part of the Problem Solvers Caucus which may make him more appealing to swing voters.

In other news, Texas Governor Greg Abbott (R) announced new border wall construction has taken place along the New Mexico border.

In a tweet, the Texas governor discussed why he built the wall.

“Texas installs fencing along NEW Mexico border. Our barriers around El Paso forced the migrants crossing illegally to enter into New Mexico,” said Gov. Abbott.

Abbott stated that he planned to put a stop to the migrants he claimed were illegally crossing the New Mexico border.

“They then entered into El Paso from there. To end that, we are building a barrier on the New Mexico border.”

The border has remained a major point of emphasis for politicians. Recently, Gov. Abbott came under scrutiny for the treatment migrants faced at Eagle Pass. The Texas governor has used tactics like inputting razor wire and floating barriers to keep migrants from crossing the border.

After much controversy, U.S. District Judge David Ezra ruled that the floating marine barriers in Eagle Pass, Texas must be removed.

“Governor Abbott announced that he was not 'asking for permission' for Operation Lone Star, the anti-immigration program under which Texas constructed the floating barrier,” said Judge Ezra.

“Unfortunately for Texas, permission is exactly what federal law requires before installing obstructions in the nation's navigable waters.”

The Texas governor responded by stating that the ruling to remove the barriers went against Texas’ sovereignty.

“Texas will appeal. Today’s court decision merely prolongs President Biden’s willful refusal to acknowledge that Texas is rightfully stepping up to do the job that he should have been doing all along,” said Gov. Abbott.