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 current and 48th Governor of Texas, serving since 2015. A Republican, he previously served as the Texas 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.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals

2003: Abbott Supports Medical Malpractice Damage Cap

In 2003, Greg Abbott supported the Texas Legislature's move to cap non-economic damages for medical malpractice cases at $250,000.

March 2005: Abbott Defends Ten Commandments Monument

In March 2005, Greg Abbott delivered oral argument before the United States Supreme Court on behalf of Texas, defending a Ten Commandments monument on the grounds of the Texas State Capitol.

2005: Abbott Advocates for Ten Commandments Display

In 2005, as Attorney General, Greg Abbott successfully advocated for the Texas State Capitol to display the Ten Commandments in the U.S. Supreme Court case Van Orden v. Perry.

July 2013: Allegations of Improper Ties to Cancer Institute

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

2013: Abbott Criticizes New York Gun Control Legislation

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

2013: Abbott Sues Obama Administration

In 2013, Greg Abbott stated his job involved suing Barack Obama and his administration, filing 31 lawsuits during his tenure as attorney general.

February 2014: Abbott Argues 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, citing public safety concerns.

March 2014: Abbott Intervenes in Lawsuits Against Baylor Scott & White

In March 2014, Greg Abbott filed a motion to intervene on behalf of Baylor Scott & White Medical Center – Plano in lawsuits against the hospital concerning Christopher Duntsch.

2014: Abbott defended Texas's ban on same-sex marriage

In 2014, Greg Abbott, as attorney general of Texas, defended the state's ban on same-sex marriage, arguing that it incentivized children being born in stable, lasting relationships, despite a federal court ruling it unconstitutional. The ban was later deemed unconstitutional.

April 2015: Monitored Jade Helm 15 Exercise

In April 2015, Abbott asked the Texas State Guard to monitor the military training exercise Jade Helm 15 amid suspicions of a hostile military takeover.

2015: Abbott Signed the Pastor Protection Act

In 2015, Abbott signed the Pastor Protection Act, which allows members of the clergy to refuse to officiate at same-sex weddings if they feel doing so violates their beliefs.

November 2016: Texas Approves Rules for Abortion Remains Disposal

In November 2016, at Greg Abbott's request, the State of Texas approved new rules requiring facilities that perform abortions to bury or cremate the aborted remains.

2016: Abbott Urges Limiting Impact of Obergefell v. Hodges

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.

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

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

February 2017: Blocked Funding to Travis County

In February 2017, Abbott blocked funding to Travis County, Texas, due to its recently implemented sanctuary city policy.

May 27, 2017: CEOs of Tech Companies Urged Abbott to Reject "Bathroom Bill"

On May 27, 2017, CEOs of 14 major technology companies, including Facebook, Apple Inc., Microsoft, and Amazon.com, sent a letter to Greg Abbott urging him not to pass the "bathroom bill," which would require individuals to use bathrooms corresponding to the sex listed on their birth certificates.

November 5, 2017: Sutherland Springs church shooting Comments

In an interview after the November 5, 2017, Sutherland Springs church shooting, Abbott urged historical reflection, comparing the event to "horrific events" during the Nazi era, the Middle Ages and biblical times, which the Anti-Defamation League found offensive.

2017: Abbott Signed House Bill 3859 Allowing Faith-Based Groups to Deny Services

Also in 2017, Abbott signed House Bill 3859, allowing faith-based groups working with the Texas child welfare system to deny services "under circumstances that conflict with the provider's sincerely held religious beliefs." Critics argued this could lead to discrimination, and California added Texas to a list of states banning official government travel in response.

2017: Abbott Signed Legislation Allowing Adoption Agencies to Refuse Same-Sex Families

In 2017, Abbott signed legislation that allowed taxpayer-funded adoption agencies to refuse same-sex families the right to adopt children based on religious reasons. This event created controversy and debate regarding LGBTQ+ rights and religious freedom.

March 2018: Byron Cook claimed Abbott privately opposed the bathroom bill

In March 2018, Byron Cook, the chairman of the House State Affairs committee, claimed that Abbott privately opposed the "bathroom bill," a legislation requiring people to use the bathroom of the sex listed on their birth certificates, not the one of their choice.

April 2018: Texas Voter Purge Canceled After Challenges

In April 2018, a purge of nearly 100,000 registered voters from Texas voter rolls was canceled after voting rights groups challenged it. Texas officials had initially claimed the voters were not U.S. citizens, but the Office of the Texas Secretary of State admitted that tens of thousands of legal voters (naturalized citizens) were wrongly flagged for removal.

2018: Abbott Rejects Scientific Consensus on Climate Change

As of 2018, Greg Abbott rejects the scientific consensus on climate change, acknowledging climate change but not accepting human activity as the main cause.

2018: Response to Santa Fe High School Shooting

In 2018, after the Santa Fe High School shooting, Abbott consulted across Texas to prevent gun violence in schools, stating at an NRA convention that "The problem is not guns, it's hearts without God".

2018: Response to Jade Helm 15 Conspiracy

In 2018, former CIA and NSA director Michael Hayden said Russian intelligence organizations had propagated the Jade Helm 15 conspiracy theory, and that Abbott's response convinced them of the power such a misinformation campaign could have in the U.S.

June 2019: Criticized Austin's Homeless Ordinance

In June 2019, after the city of Austin repealed a ban on homeless people camping in public, Abbott sent a letter to Austin's mayor criticizing the ordinance and threatening to deploy state resources.

June 2019: Emails Show Abbott Drove Voter Purge Effort

In June 2019, emails were released indicating that Abbott was the driving force behind a controversial effort to purge nearly 100,000 registered voters from Texas voter rolls. Abbott had previously claimed he played no role in the voter purge.

November 2019: Opened Temporary Homeless Encampment

In November 2019, 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".

January 2020: Declined Refugee Resettlement

In January 2020, Abbott made Texas the first state to decline refugee resettlement under a new rule implemented by the Trump administration, a move condemned by Catholic bishops of Texas.

May 1, 2020: End of Abbott's Stay-at-Home Order

Greg Abbott's stay-at-home order during the COVID-19 pandemic ended on May 1, 2020. It lasted from April 2 and was one of the shortest stay-at-home orders implemented by any governor.

July 2020: Abbott Directs Counties to Wear Masks

In July 2020, Greg Abbott directed counties with more than 20 COVID-19 cases to wear masks in public places, after previously prohibiting local governments from mandating face masks. His response to the pandemic was criticized on both sides of the political spectrum.

September 2020: Abbott Limited Ballot Drop-Off Locations and Extended Early Voting

In September 2020, Greg Abbott issued a proclamation limiting each Texas county to one location for early voting ballot drop-offs, citing the need to prevent "illegal voting" without providing examples of voter fraud. Also in September 2020, Abbott extended the early voting period for that year's general election because of COVID-19, a decision opposed by the Republican Party of Texas.

December 2020: Abbott Directs Restaurants to Ignore Local Curfews

In December 2020, Greg Abbott directed Texas restaurants to ignore local curfews imposed to prevent the spread of COVID-19 during New Year's weekend.

2020: Abbott Prioritized "Election Integrity" Legislation

In 2020, Abbott made "election integrity" a legislative priority following President Trump's failed attempts to overturn the 2020 United States presidential election. These attempts used claims that the results were fraudulent. Voting rights advocates and civil rights groups criticized the resulting legislation, asserting it disproportionately affected voters of color and people with disabilities.

2020: Scott aided Trump in efforts to throw out election results

In 2020, John Scott, who would later be appointed as Texas secretary of state by Abbott in 2021, assisted then-President Trump in his unsuccessful attempts to invalidate the results of the presidential election.

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

In the wake of the George Floyd protests, Greg Abbott called on candidates in the 2020 elections to "back the blue".

March 2, 2021: Abbott Lifts All COVID-19 Restrictions in Texas

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

April 2021: Abbott Bans Vaccine Passports for State Agencies and Corporations

In April 2021, Greg 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, a six-week abortion ban, into law.

June 2021: Actions Regarding Migrant Minors and Border Wall

In June 2021, Abbott ordered Texas child-care regulators to take licenses of child-care facilities housing unaccompanied migrant minors and announced plans to build a border wall with Mexico, allocating $250 million in state funds.

June 2021: Abbott Punishes Businesses Requiring Proof of COVID-19 Vaccination

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

July 2021: Ordered Arrests of Migrants for Trespassing

In July 2021, Abbott directed law enforcement to arrest illegal migrants for trespassing, ordered the National Guard to assist, and restricted ground transportation of migrants. Migrants faced weeks of imprisonment without legal help.

July 2021: Texas Democrats Fled to Block Election Bill

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

July 29, 2021: Abbott Issues Executive Order GA-38

On July 29, 2021, Greg 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. This order also provided for a $1,000 fine for local officials who adopted inconsistent policies. This order was issued during a worsening pandemic.

September 2021: Abbott Signs Bill Preventing Mail-Ordering Abortion Medication

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

October 2021: Abbott Appointed John Scott as Texas Secretary of State

In October 2021, Abbott appointed John Scott as Texas secretary of state, positioning him to oversee Texas elections. Scott had previously aided Trump in his efforts to challenge the 2020 presidential election results.

2021: Immigration Claims and COVID

In 2021, Abbott claimed illegal immigrants were invading homes and falsely tweeted that the Biden Administration was releasing hundreds of illegal immigrants with COVID into Texas communities.

2021: Abbott Penalizes Cities Reducing Police Spending

In 2021, Greg Abbott spearheaded legislative efforts to fine Texas cities that reduced spending on police after some redirected funding to social services and emergency response.

2021: Abbott Vetoes Criminal Justice and Animal Protection Bills

In 2021, Greg Abbott vetoed a bipartisan criminal justice bill and an animal protection bill regarding chaining dogs without water and shelter.

2021: Texas Agency Removed LGBTQ Youth Resources

In 2021, following criticism from a Republican primary challenger, the Texas child welfare agency, whose members are appointed by Abbott, removed a webpage with a suicide prevention hotline and other resources for LGBTQ youths.

April 2022: Busing Migrants to Washington, D.C.

In April 2022, Abbott announced a plan to bus illegal immigrants from Texas to Washington, D.C., using charter buses. The first bus arrived after a 30-hour trip, leading to criticism and suggestions of federal prosecution for human trafficking.

April 2022: Increased Truck Inspections at Border

In April 2022, Abbott increased inspections of commercial trucks entering from Mexico, causing multi-mile backups and potential spoilage of goods. He canceled the policy on April 15 after criticism from Texas business owners.

September 15, 2022: Sent Buses of Migrants to Kamala Harris's Residence

On September 15, 2022, Abbott sent two buses with 101 mostly Venezuelan migrants to the residence of Vice President Kamala Harris.

2022: Abbott Directed Texas Agencies to Treat Gender-Affirming Care as Child Abuse

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

June 2023: Deployed Floating Barriers in Rio Grande

In June 2023, Abbott deployed floating barriers in the Rio Grande to deter illegal border crossings, leading to a lawsuit from the U.S. Justice Department after he refused to remove them.

December 2023: Migrant Arrests on Trespassing Charges

By December 2023, nearly 10,000 migrants had been arrested on trespassing charges under Abbott's policy.

2023: Abbott Pledges to Work Swiftly for Perry's Pardon

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

2023: Abbott Signs Bill Prohibiting DEI Offices at Texas Public Colleges and Universities

In 2023, Greg 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 former Army sergeant Daniel Perry, who was convicted of murdering Air Force veteran Garrett Foster during a Black Lives Matter protest. The Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles, whose members had all been appointed by Abbott, unanimously recommended the pardon.

November 2025: Abbott Declared Muslim Brotherhood and CAIR Terrorist Organizations

In November 2025, Abbott declared the Muslim Brotherhood and the Council on American–Islamic Relations (CAIR) as "foreign terrorist organizations and transnational criminal organizations". He also called for an investigation of so-called "sharia courts", stating the Constitution's religious protections do not allow religious courts to bypass state and federal laws.

2025: Abbott Signed Texas Senate Bill 10 Requiring Display of Ten Commandments in Schools

In 2025, Abbott signed Texas Senate Bill 10, which mandates that all public schools display the Ten Commandments in their classrooms. This action occurred a day after a federal court blocked a similar law in Louisiana.

2025: Abbott Vetoed Bill Banning THC Products

In 2025, after the sale of consumable hemp products containing delta-8-THC increased significantly, the legislature passed SB 3, which would have completely banned the sale of THC products in the state. Greg Abbott vetoed the bill due to public outcry, putting him at odds with Lieutenant Governor Patrick. He proposed regulation instead of a full ban, including restrictions on the age of consumers, time of purchase, and testing requirements, but comprehensive legislation failed to pass.