In non-apology, Texas governor says 'mistakes were made' in anti-immigrant letter he sent out

Daily Kos Staff

Friday August 30, 2019 · 11:38 AM PDT

2019/08/30 · 11:38

Texas Governor Greg Abbott speaks to the press on the grounds of Santa Fe High School on May, 20, 2018, in Santa Fe, Texas. - Ten people, mostly students, were killed when a teenage classmate armed with a shotgun and a revolver opened fire at the school on May 18. The gunman, arrested on murder charges, was identified as Dimitrios Pagourtzis, a 17-year-old junior at Santa Fe High School. He is being held on capital murder charges, meaning he could face the death penalty. (Photo by Brendan SMIALOWSKI / AFP) (Photo credit should read BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP/Getty Images)

When you want to make it look like you’re taking responsibility without actually taking any responsibility, look to Texas Gov. Greg Abbott for a tip. He’s been facing backlash over an anti-immigrant fundraising letter sent out in his name just one day before an anti-Latino attack terrorized El Paso, stating in the first sentence that "if we're going to defend Texas, we'll need to take matters into our own hands."

But during a meeting of the new task force he formed to supposedly combat this terrorism he’s helped fuel, Abbott said “mistakes were made.” By whom? Who the fuck knows, apparently. After all, the letterhead only read, “Governor Greg Abbott,” listed his website at the bottom of the page, was signed “Sincerely, Greg,” and stated “political ad paid for by Texans for Greg Abbott.” But, “mistakes were made,” by someone, somewhere. It’s a mystery.

Abbott also tried to shield himself behind his wife during the meeting, saying that "my wife is the first Hispanic First Lady of Texas. Her family came from Mexico. We need to address this attack on who we are as Texans.” Yet Abbott had no problem sending out his letter until he got flack for it, and despite his call to “address this attack on who we are as Texans,” he blocked some local leaders, like El Paso Rep. Veronica Escobar, from attending.

"I just want to ask him why we need assault weapons," said shooting survivor Chris Grant, who invited Escobar to a Moms Demand Action demonstration outside the building. Grant no doubt saved lives, throwing things at the white supremacist terrorist to distract him, and getting shot in the process. "I wanted Rep. Escobar to accompany me,” he continued. “Unfortunately, they won't let her in."

Abbott’s spokesperson John Wittman claimed “Escobar was not invited because the invitees were only people who have a vote in state legislative issues.” Or perhaps it’s because Escobar has been a fearless leader in challenging both the president and Abbott’s anti-Latino and anti-immigrant rhetoric and policies? Abbott’s “here talking about how to heal,” she said, “when he uses words of division and hate and bigotry to raise money and to fuel anti-immigrant, anti-border sentiment."

In non-apology, Texas governor says 'mistakes were made' in anti-immigrant letter he sent out

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