Most Talked-About Controversies Linked to Greg Abbott

Public opinion and media debates around Greg Abbott—discover key moments of controversy.

Greg Abbott is the 48th and current governor of Texas, serving since 2015. A Republican, he previously served as the state's Attorney General from 2002 to 2015 and as a Justice on the Texas Supreme Court from 1996 to 2001. He is currently the longest-serving incumbent governor in the United States.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals

December 21, 2005: New Allegations Added to Sony BMG Lawsuit

On December 21, 2005, Greg Abbott added new allegations to his lawsuit against Sony-BMG, claiming the MediaMax copy protection technology violated Texas's spyware and deceptive trade practices laws. He alleged that even if consumers rejected the licensing agreement, spyware was secretly installed on their computers, posing security risks for music buyers.

July 2013: Allegations of Improper Ties

In July 2013, the Houston Chronicle reported on alleged improper ties and oversight between many of Greg Abbott's largest donors and the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas, where he was a director.

2013: Lawsuits Against the Obama Administration

In 2013, Greg Abbott stated that his job involved suing Barack Obama. Abbott filed 31 lawsuits against the Obama administration, challenging various federal policies and regulations during his tenure as attorney general and governor.

2013: Criticism of New York Gun Laws

In 2013, as attorney general, Greg Abbott criticized legislation enacted by New York State that strengthened its gun regulation laws by expanding an assault weapons ban and creating a high-capacity magazine ban.

February 2014: Argument Against NRA Lawsuit

In February 2014, Greg Abbott argued against a lawsuit brought by the National Rifle Association of America (NRA) to allow more people access to concealed carry of firearms, stating that doing so would disrupt public safety.

2014: Defense of Texas's ban on same-sex marriage

In 2014, Greg Abbott defended Texas's ban on same-sex marriage, which a federal court ruled unconstitutional. As attorney general of Texas, he argued that the prohibition on same-sex marriage incentivized that children would be born "in the context of stable, lasting relationships."

2014: Legal strategy to dismantle climate change regulations

In early 2014, Greg Abbott participated in sessions at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce to devise a legal strategy aimed at dismantling climate change regulations.

April 2015: Abbott Orders State Guard to Monitor Jade Helm 15

In April 2015, Greg Abbott asked the State Guard to monitor the military training exercise Jade Helm 15 due to Internet-fueled suspicions of a hostile military takeover.

November 2015: Texas refuses Syrian refugees

In November 2015, Greg Abbott announced that Texas would refuse to accept Syrian refugees in response to the Paris terrorist attack that had occurred earlier that month.

December 2015: Abbott orders lawsuit to block refugee settlement

In December 2015, Greg Abbott directed the Texas Health and Human Services Commission to file a lawsuit against the federal government and the International Rescue Committee in an attempt to prevent refugee settlement. However, a federal district court ultimately struck down the lawsuit.

2015: Abbott Signs Pastor Protection Act

In 2015, Governor Abbott signed the Pastor Protection Act, allowing members of the clergy to refuse to marry same-sex couples if it violates their beliefs.

2015: Abbott Signs Campus Carry and Open Carry Bills

In 2015, Governor Abbott signed the campus carry (SB 11) and open carry (HB 910) bills into law, allowing licensed concealed handguns on public college campuses and licensed open carry of handguns in public areas.

2016: Support for Scott Pruitt as EPA head

In 2016, Greg Abbott supported Scott Pruitt's appointment as head of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), stating that they had teamed up on numerous lawsuits against the EPA.

2016: Urged Limitation of Obergefell v. Hodges Impact

In 2016, Greg Abbott urged the Texas Supreme Court to limit the impact of the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling in Obergefell v. Hodges, the 2015 case that legalized same-sex marriage, with regards to state and federal benefits tied to marriage.

2016: Open Carry Bill Goes Into Effect

In 2016, the open carry bill went into effect, allowing licensed open carry of a handgun in public areas and private businesses unless they display a "30.07" sign.

January 27, 2017: Federal Judge Rules Against Texas Abortion Remains Law

On January 27, 2017, a federal judge ruled against the Texas law requiring abortion facilities to bury or cremate fetal remains, but the State of Texas vowed to appeal the ruling.

February 2017: Abbott blocks funding to Travis County

In February 2017, Greg Abbott blocked funding to Travis County, Texas, because of the county's recently implemented sanctuary city policy.

May 27, 2017: CEOs of tech companies urge Abbott to not pass "bathroom bill"

In a letter dated May 27, 2017, the CEOs of 14 large technology companies, including Facebook, Apple, Microsoft, and Amazon, urged Greg Abbott not to pass what came to be known as the "bathroom bill": legislation requiring people to use the bathroom of the sex listed on their birth certificates, not the one of their choice.

November 5, 2017: Abbott Comments on Sutherland Springs Shooting

Following the November 5, 2017, Sutherland Springs church shooting, Greg Abbott urged historical reflection and compared the event to other "horrific events" throughout history, drawing criticism from the Anti-Defamation League.

2017: Abbott Signs Bill Allowing Faith-Based Groups to Deny Services

In 2017, Greg Abbott signed House Bill 3859, which allows faith-based groups working with the Texas child welfare system to deny services under circumstances that conflict with their religious beliefs, leading to criticism and travel bans from other states.

2017: Abbott Signs Bill Preventing Subpoena of Pastors' Sermons

In 2017, Greg Abbott signed Senate Bill 24 into law, preventing state or local governments from subpoenaing pastors' sermons, inspired by an anti-discrimination ordinance in Houston.

2017: Legislation on adoption agencies refusing same-sex families

In 2017, Greg Abbott signed legislation to allow taxpayer-funded adoption agencies to refuse same-sex families from adopting children for religious reasons.

March 2018: Abbott privately opposed the "bathroom bill"

In March 2018, Byron Cook, the chairman of the House State Affairs committee who blocked the "bathroom bill", claimed that Greg Abbott privately opposed the bill.

April 2018: Purge of registered voters canceled

In April 2018, a purge of nearly 100,000 registered voters from Texas voter rolls was canceled after voting rights groups challenged the purge, and officials admitted that thousands of legal voters were wrongly flagged for removal.

2018: Rejection of climate change scientific consensus

As of 2018, Greg Abbott rejects the scientific consensus on climate change, stating that while the climate is changing, he does not accept that human activity is the primary cause.

2018: Abbott Consults on Gun Violence Prevention After Santa Fe Shooting

Following the 2018 Santa Fe High School shooting, Greg Abbott said he would consult across Texas in an attempt to prevent gun violence in schools.

June 2019: Emails show Abbott drove voter purge

Emails released in June 2019 revealed that Greg Abbott was the driving force behind the effort to purge nearly 100,000 registered voters from Texas voter rolls.

June 2019: Abbott Signs Bill Allowing More Armed Teachers

In June 2019, Greg Abbott signed a bill allowing for more armed teachers in schools and creating "threat assessment teams" to identify potentially violent students.

June 2019: Repeal of Austin's ban on homeless camping

In June 2019, the city of Austin introduced an ordinance that repealed a 25-year-old ban on homeless people camping, lying, or sleeping in public.

August 2019: Abbott Responds to El Paso Mass Shooting

Following the mass shooting at a Wal-Mart in El Paso in August 2019, Greg Abbott convened a domestic terrorism task force but opposed a red-flag law and rejected calls for a special legislative session on gun violence.

October 2019: Criticism of Austin's camping ban repeal

In October 2019, Greg Abbott sent a letter to Austin Mayor Steve Adler criticizing the repeal of the camping ban and threatening to deploy state resources to "combat homelessness".

November 2019: Opening of temporary homeless encampment

In November 2019, Greg Abbott directed the State of Texas to open a temporary homeless encampment on a former vehicle storage yard owned by the Texas Department of Transportation, which camp residents dubbed "Abbottville".

2019: Enforcement of marijuana laws

In 2019, when numerous local prosecutors announced that they would stop prosecuting low-level marijuana offenses, Greg Abbott instructed them to continue enforcing marijuana laws. The prosecutors cited recently passed legislation that legalized hemp.

January 2020: Texas declines refugee resettlement

In January 2020, Greg Abbott made Texas the first state to decline refugee resettlement under a new rule implemented by the Trump administration. The sixteen Catholic bishops of Texas issued a joint statement condemning the move.

May 1, 2020: End of COVID-19 Stay-at-Home Order

On May 1, 2020, Abbott's stay-at-home order during the COVID-19 pandemic expired, after being implemented on April 2, 2020. It was one of the shortest stay-at-home orders by any governor.

July 2020: Masks directed in counties with more than 20 COVID-19 cases

In July 2020, Abbott directed counties with more than 20 COVID-19 cases to wear masks in public places; he had previously prohibited local governments from implementing required face masks. His response to the pandemic was criticized on both sides of the political spectrum.

September 2020: Restriction of early voting ballot drop-off locations

In September 2020, Greg Abbott issued a proclamation limiting each Texas county to only one location for voters to drop off early voting ballots. He justified this decision by citing the need to prevent "illegal voting" but provided no evidence of voter fraud. Also in September 2020, Abbott extended the early voting period for that year's general election due to COVID-19; the Republican Party of Texas opposed his decision.

December 2020: Directed Texas restaurants to ignore local curfews

In December 2020, Abbott directed Texas restaurants to ignore local curfews that had been imposed to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Localities had implemented restrictions on indoor dining and drinking late at night on New Years weekend amid a surge in COVID-19 cases.

2020: "Election integrity" a legislative priority

In 2020, Greg Abbott made "election integrity" a legislative priority after President Trump's failed attempts to overturn the results of the 2020 United States presidential election by using baseless claims that the results were fraudulent. Voting rights advocates and civil rights groups denounced the resulting legislation, saying it disproportionately affected voters of color and people with disabilities.

2020: John Scott's aid to Trump election efforts

In 2020, John Scott aided Trump in his failed efforts to throw out election results in the presidential election.

2020: Abbott Calls on Candidates to "Back the Blue"

In 2020, following the George Floyd protests, Greg Abbott called on candidates to "back the blue" and threatened state intervention in cities that redirect funding from police.

March 2, 2021: Lifted all COVID-19 restrictions in Texas

On March 2, 2021, Abbott lifted all COVID-19 restrictions in Texas, including ending a mask mandate and allowing businesses to reopen "100 percent."

March 2021: Abbott tweets about illegal immigrants with COVID

In March 2021, Greg Abbott tweeted that the Biden Administration was recklessly releasing hundreds of illegal immigrants who had COVID into Texas communities. PolitiFact rated Abbott's claim Mostly False.

April 2021: Banned vaccine passports

In April 2021, Abbott signed an executive order banning state agencies and corporations that take public funding from requiring proof of vaccination against COVID-19.

May 18, 2021: Abbott Signs Texas Heartbeat Act Into Law

On May 18, 2021, Greg Abbott signed the Texas Heartbeat Act, which bans abortions after six weeks of pregnancy, into law.

June 2021: Punished businesses requiring proof of COVID-19 vaccination

In June 2021, Abbott signed a bill that would punish businesses that require customers to have proof of COVID-19 vaccination for services.

June 2021: Order to take licenses of child-care facilities

In June 2021, Greg Abbott ordered Texas child-care regulators to take the licenses of child-care facilities that housed unaccompanied migrant minors, citing a negative impact on facilities housing Texan children in foster care. Later that month, he announced plans to build a border wall with Mexico, committing $250 million in state funds and soliciting public donations.

June 2021: Abbott Signs Permitless Carry Bill

In June 2021, Greg Abbott signed into law a permitless carry bill allowing Texans to carry handguns without a license or training, effective September 2021.

July 2021: Texas lawmakers flee the state

In July 2021, Democratic lawmakers in the Texas legislature fled the state on a chartered flight to Washington, D.C., in an effort to block the passage of a bill that would reform the state election procedures. Greg Abbott threatened to have the lawmakers arrested upon their return to Texas.

July 2021: Advising Arrests of Illegal Migrants for Trespassing

In July 2021, Greg Abbott advised state law enforcement officers to begin arresting illegal migrants for trespassing.

July 27, 2021: Ordering National Guard to Arrest Migrants

On July 27, 2021, Greg Abbott ordered the National Guard to begin helping arrest migrants, and the next day he signed an order to restrict the ground transportation of migrants.

July 29, 2021: Issued Executive Order GA-38

On July 29, 2021, Abbott issued a superseding executive order (GA-38) that reinstated earlier orders and imposed additional prohibitions on local governmental officials, state agencies, public universities, and businesses doing business with the state, to prohibit them from adopting measures such as requiring face masks or proof of vaccination status as a condition of service.

August 2021: Continued opposition to government mandates

In August 2021, Abbott emphasized personal responsibility over government restrictions, resolutely opposed government mandates, and justified the ban on local government mandates. An Abbott spokesperson said, "Private businesses don't need government running their business."

September 2021: Abbott Signs Bill Restricting Abortion Medication

In September 2021, Greg Abbott signed a bill into law preventing women from mail-ordering abortion medication seven weeks into pregnancy.

September 2021: Permitless Carry Bill Takes Effect

In September 2021, the permitless carry bill that was signed into law by Greg Abbott in June went into effect, allowing Texans to carry handguns without a license or training.

October 2021: Banned vaccine requirements for private businesses

In October 2021, Abbott issued an executive order that banned any entity, including a private business, from implementing a vaccine requirement for its employees.

October 2021: Appointment of John Scott as Texas Secretary of State

In October 2021, Greg Abbott appointed John Scott as Texas Secretary of State, putting him in a position to oversee Texas elections. Scott aided Trump in his failed efforts to throw out election results in the 2020 presidential election.

December 2021: Texas to continue U.S. Border Wall

In December 2021, Greg Abbott announced that Texas would continue construction of the U.S. Border Wall initiated by Donald Trump, utilizing the same design.

2021: Abbott Vetoes Criminal Justice and Animal Protection Bills

In 2021, Governor Abbott vetoed a bipartisan criminal justice bill related to parole eligibility for juvenile offenders and an animal protection bill concerning the chaining of dogs.

2021: Abbott Signs Permitless Carry Bill Into Law

In 2021, Greg Abbott signed into law a bill that allowed Texans to carry guns without a license.

2021: Abbott Penalizes Cities Reducing Police Spending

In 2021, Greg Abbott spearheaded legislative efforts to financially penalize cities in Texas that reduce spending on police.

2021: Removal of LGBTQ resources from child welfare agency

In 2021, a Republican primary challenger criticized Greg Abbott because Texas's child welfare agency included content regarding LGBTQ youths. Shortly thereafter, the agency, whose members Abbott appoints, removed the webpage that included a suicide prevention hotline and other resources for LGBT youths.

April 2022: Plan to bus illegal immigrants to Washington D.C.

In April 2022, Greg Abbott announced a plan to direct the Texas Division of Emergency Management to bus illegal immigrants from Texas to Washington D.C., citing the potential surge of immigrants crossing the border after Title 42 provisions were rolled back. After criticism, Abbott clarified that the trip would be voluntary for immigrants. Senator Ted Cruz supported the action and advocated for busing more immigrants into other predominantly Democratic areas. Washington D.C. mayor Muriel Bowser requested National Guard support in response to the influx of migrants.

April 2022: Increased inspections of commercial trucks entering from Mexico

In early April 2022, Greg Abbott announced that Texas would increase inspections of commercial trucks entering from Mexico to seize illegal drugs and migrants. The inspections caused a multi-mile backup of commercial vehicles carrying various goods. Under pressure from Texas business owners, Abbott canceled the policy on April 15.

May 24, 2022: Abbott Comments on Robb Elementary School Shooting

On May 24, 2022, Greg Abbott commented on the shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, where 19 students and 2 teachers were killed. He later stated that mental health was the root cause of the event. Beto O'Rourke confronted Abbott, accusing him of inaction, and Abbott responded by emphasizing the need for "healing and hope."

September 15, 2022: Buses of migrants sent to Vice President Harris's residence

On September 15, 2022, Greg Abbott sent two buses carrying 101 migrants, mostly of Venezuelan origin, who had been detained after crossing the U.S. border with Mexico, to the residence of Vice President Kamala Harris at the Naval Observatory in Washington, D.C.

2022: Gender-affirming treatments for transgender youths as child abuse

In 2022, Greg Abbott instructed Texas state agencies to treat gender-affirming medical treatments (such as puberty blockers or hormone treatments) for transgender youths as child abuse.

June 2023: Deployment of floating barriers in the Rio Grande

In June 2023, Greg Abbott deployed floating barriers in the Rio Grande to deter illegal border crossings. Subsequently, the U.S. Justice Department sued Abbott and the state of Texas after he refused to remove the barriers.

December 2023: Migrants Arrested on Trespassing Charges

By December 2023, nearly 10,000 migrants had been arrested on trespassing charges under Greg Abbott's policy, with migrants being imprisoned for weeks without legal help or formal charges.

2023: Abbott Promises Swift Pardon for Daniel Perry

In 2023, Abbott said he would work swiftly for a pardon after a jury convicted Daniel Perry of murder.

2023: Signed Senate Bill 17 into law

In the summer of 2023, Abbott signed into law Senate Bill 17, which prohibits Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) offices at Texas's public colleges and universities.

May 2024: Abbott Pardons Daniel Perry

In May 2024, Greg Abbott granted a full pardon to Daniel Perry, who had been convicted of murdering Garrett Foster during a Black Lives Matter protest in 2023. The Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles unanimously recommended the pardon.

2024: Opposed United Auto Workers unionization campaign

In 2024, Abbott joined five other Republican governors in a statement opposing the United Auto Workers unionization campaign.

2025: Signing of Texas Senate Bill 10

In 2025, Greg Abbott signed Texas Senate Bill 10, mandating the display of the Ten Commandments in all public school classrooms. This action occurred a day after a federal court blocked a similar law in Louisiana.