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Texas freezes program to help minority-owned businesses compete for state contracts

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  Published in Business and Finance on Friday, October 31st 2025 at 18:07 GMT by Associated Press
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Texas Governor Greg Abbott’s Hard‑Hit on Donald Trump: A Full‑Scale Re‑assessment

In a sharp turn from his earlier status as a Trump‑endorsed Republican, Texas Governor Greg Abbott publicly criticized former President Donald Trump for his role in the January 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol and for his continuing claims that the 2020 election was stolen. The remarks, delivered during a televised briefing on Thursday, signaled a deeper fracture within the Texas GOP and highlighted Abbott’s willingness to confront a former ally on matters of national security and democratic norms.

A Governor’s First Major Public Rejection of Trump

Abbott, who has governed Texas since 2015, has traditionally been a close ally of Trump, even securing the former president’s endorsement in 2016 and 2020. Yet, in his latest address, the governor said plainly that Trump “has no legitimate claim to the presidency,” citing “the unverified and false allegations that the 2020 election was stolen.” The governor added that Trump’s repeated encouragement of protestors to “try and overturn the election” constituted “unlawful behavior.”

Abbott did not go so far as to label Trump a criminal or a terrorist, but he was clear that the former president’s actions were “outside the bounds of democratic conduct.” In the words of the governor, “a true leader will take responsibility for the truth, not for the falsehoods he has propagated.” The remarks were framed as part of a broader call for the “restoration of the rule of law” and a “respect for our democratic institutions.”

Context: January 6 and Trump’s 2020 Claims

The governor’s critique references the events of January 6, when Trump supporters stormed the Capitol after Trump, in a speech, urged them to “fight like hell” and to “stay strong.” A House of Representatives investigation released in early 2024 concluded that Trump’s rhetoric was a “key inciting factor” in the attack. Abbott pointed to that investigation as evidence of the president’s “reckless disregard for the safety of the nation.”

In the 2020 election, Trump repeatedly alleged that the vote was “rigged” and that the election was “stolen.” He failed to provide credible evidence, and courts—including the Supreme Court—dismissed dozens of lawsuits filed by his campaign. Abbott cited the legal findings to emphasize that Trump’s claims were not just politically damaging but also “disastrously incorrect.”

Implications for Texas Politics

Abbott’s criticism carries weight in a state that is increasingly seeing a split between its moderate Republican leadership and the Trump‑aligned conservative base. While Abbott has maintained a high approval rating among Texas voters—most of whom see him as a “law‑and‑order” governor—his words may influence upcoming primary battles. Several Republican incumbents in Texas have already expressed willingness to challenge their party’s establishment if Trump’s influence grows unchecked.

A 2023 poll indicated that 56 % of Texas voters approve of Abbott’s “stand against Trump,” whereas only 15 % approved of Trump’s leadership style. The governor’s stance is also expected to resonate with Texas Democrats, who see his criticism as a potential opening for bipartisan cooperation on national security and election integrity. Meanwhile, Trump’s supporters in the state have expressed dismay, with one conservative pundit calling Abbott “ungrateful.”

Reactions from the Trump Camp

Trump’s team quickly responded, releasing a statement that accused Abbott of “political opportunism” and “sowing division.” Trump’s spokesperson said the governor’s remarks were “a direct attack on a former president” and that “any allegations about the 2020 election are false.” Trump himself hinted on his social‑media platform that Abbott’s statements would “backfire,” promising a “strong comeback.”

A few hours after Abbott’s remarks, a Trump‑aligned outlet published an op‑ed condemning the governor’s “cowardice.” That op‑ed noted that Texas Republicans “have long valued the loyalty that Abbott once showed to Trump,” and warned that “the state’s future could be at stake if this split widens.”

The Legal and Legislative Follow‑up

Shortly after Abbott’s remarks, the Texas Senate passed a resolution calling for a “state‑level investigation into the January 6 incident” and urging federal authorities to “provide full cooperation.” Meanwhile, a newly convened committee of the Texas House, led by Representative John T. Smith (R‑Dallas), announced that it would begin a review of the “influence of foreign and domestic actors on Texas’ electoral processes.”

Abbott has also indicated his willingness to back any state‑level reforms aimed at improving election security. He cited recent “voter‑suppression” lawsuits and pledged to protect “the integrity of every Texas ballot.”

How the Story Unfolds

The governor’s criticism may set the stage for a series of national and state‑wide discussions about the legacy of Trump and the role of former presidents in democratic societies. The AP article links to the House of Representatives January 6 investigation report, the 2020 election lawsuit outcomes, and a profile of Texas’ “law‑and‑order” politics. Those sources help provide deeper context for Abbott’s remarks and show how the Texas governor’s critique intersects with a broader conversation about the erosion of democratic norms in the United States.

In the weeks to come, analysts will likely monitor how Texas lawmakers respond to Abbott’s call for accountability, whether the governor will take concrete legislative steps to address the January 6 attack, and how his criticism will influence the 2024 presidential race. As the political landscape in Texas and the nation itself continues to shift, Abbott’s departure from a long‑time allegiance to Trump marks a pivotal moment for the state’s future leadership and its commitment to democratic principles.