Most Talked-About Controversies Linked to Greg Abbott

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

Greg Abbott is an American politician currently serving as the 48th Governor of Texas since 2015. A Republican, he previously served as the Texas Attorney General from 2002 to 2015. Prior to that, he was 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

July 2013: Allegations of Improper Ties to Cancer Prevention Institute

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

2013: Criticized New York's Gun Control Laws

In 2013, Abbott criticized gun control legislation enacted by New York, threatening to sue if Congress passed a similar bill. His campaign targeted New York gun owners with ads suggesting they move to Texas.

2013: Sued the Obama Administration

In 2013, Abbott stated his job involved suing Barack Obama. He filed 31 lawsuits against the Obama administration on issues like the Environmental Protection Agency, the Affordable Care Act, and the U.S. Department of Education. Texas sued the Obama administration at least 44 times during Abbott's tenure as attorney general and governor.

February 2014: Opposed NRA Lawsuit on Concealed Carry

In February 2014, Abbott argued against a lawsuit by the National Rifle Association of America (NRA) to expand concealed carry access, citing concerns for public safety.

March 2014: Intervened in Lawsuits Against Baylor Scott & White Medical Center

In March 2014, Abbott filed a motion to intervene on behalf of Baylor Scott & White Medical Center – Plano in lawsuits alleging the hospital allowed Christopher Duntsch to perform dangerous neurosurgery, citing the state's cap on malpractice cases.

2014: Defense of Texas's Ban on Same-Sex Marriage

In 2014, Abbott defended Texas's ban on same-sex marriage, arguing that it incentivized children being born in stable relationships.

2014: Participation in Legal Strategy to Dismantle Climate Regulations

In early 2014, Abbott participated in sessions to devise a legal strategy to dismantle climate change regulations.

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

In April 2015, Greg Abbott directed the State Guard to monitor the military training exercise Jade Helm 15 amid conspiracy theories about a hostile military takeover.

September 25, 2015: Temporary Injunction on Therapy Rate Cuts

On September 25, 2015, litigation resulted in a temporary injunction order barring the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (THHSC) from implementing therapy rate cuts that would have reduced the budget by $150 million by ending payments and coverage for various developmental therapies for children on Medicaid.

November 2015: Texas Refuses Syrian Refugees

In November 2015, Abbott announced that Texas would refuse Syrian refugees following the Paris terrorist attack.

December 2015: Abbott Orders Lawsuit to Block Refugee Settlement

In December 2015, Abbott directed the Texas Health and Human Services Commission to sue the federal government and the International Rescue Committee to prevent refugee settlement, although a federal court dismissed the lawsuit.

2015: Abbott Signs Campus Carry and Open Carry Bills into Law

In 2015, Greg Abbott signed both the campus carry (SB 11) and open carry (HB 910) bills into law.

2015: Abbott Signs Pastor Protection Act

In 2015, Greg Abbott signed the Pastor Protection Act, allowing clergy to refuse to marry same-sex couples based on their beliefs.

2016: Support for Scott Pruitt as EPA Head

In 2016, Abbott supported Scott Pruitt's appointment as head of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), noting their past collaborations on lawsuits against the EPA.

2016: Urged Limiting Impact of Obergefell v. Hodges

In 2016, Abbott urged the Texas Supreme Court to limit the impact of the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling in Obergefell v. Hodges, which had legalized same-sex marriage nationwide.

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

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

February 2017: Abbott Blocks Funding to Travis County

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

May 2017: Texas Senate Bill 4 Signed Into Law

In May 2017, Abbott signed Texas Senate Bill 4 into law, which targeted sanctuary cities by penalizing officials who don't cooperate with federal authorities and allowing police to question the immigration status of detainees.

May 27, 2017: Technology CEOs Urge Abbott Not to Pass "Bathroom Bill"

On May 27, 2017, CEOs of 14 large technology companies, including Facebook, Apple, Microsoft, and Amazon, urged Abbott not to pass the "bathroom bill" that would require people to use the bathroom of the sex listed on their birth certificates.

November 5, 2017: Abbott's Comments Following Sutherland Springs Church Shooting

Following the November 5, 2017, Sutherland Springs church shooting, Greg Abbott compared the evil present to earlier "horrific events" during the Nazi era, the Middle Ages, and biblical times, leading to criticism from the Anti-Defamation League.

2017: Abbott Signs Bill Preventing Subpoena of Pastors' Sermons

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

2017: Legislation Allowing Refusal of Adoption to Same-Sex Families

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

2017: Abbott Signs House Bill 3859

In 2017, Greg Abbott signed House Bill 3859, allowing faith-based groups working with the Texas child welfare system to deny services based on religious beliefs, leading to discrimination concerns and California's addition of Texas to a list of states to which it banned official government travel.

March 2018: Claim of Abbott's Private Opposition to Bathroom Bill

In March 2018, Byron Cook claimed that Abbott privately opposed the "bathroom bill", which the House State Affairs committee blocked. The bill was never signed.

April 2018: Voter Purge Canceled

In April 2018, a purge of nearly 100,000 registered voters from Texas voter rolls was canceled after challenges revealed that legal voters were wrongly flagged for removal.

2018: Rejection of Climate Change Consensus

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

June 2019: Abbott Signs Bill Allowing More Armed Teachers

In June 2019, Greg Abbott signed a bill allowing for more armed teachers in Texas schools, with school districts unrestricted as to the number they allow, while also creating "threat assessment teams".

June 2019: Emails Show Abbott's Role in Voter Purge

In June 2019, emails revealed that Abbott was the driving force behind the effort to purge voters from Texas voter rolls.

August 2019: Abbott Responds to El Paso Shooting

In August 2019, after a mass shooting at a Wal-Mart in El Paso, where a gunman killed 22 people, Greg Abbott convened a domestic terrorism task force but opposed a red-flag law and a special session to address gun violence.

October 2019: Criticism of Austin's Camping Ban Repeal

In October 2019, Abbott criticized Austin's repeal of its camping ban and threatened to deploy state resources to combat homelessness.

2019: Enforcement of Marijuana Laws Despite Local Prosecutors' Decisions

In 2019, after numerous local prosecutors announced they would stop prosecuting low-level marijuana offenses, Abbott instructed them to continue enforcing marijuana laws, citing the need for a "hemp certificate" to distinguish legal hemp from marijuana.

January 2020: Texas Declines Refugee Resettlement

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

September 2020: Restrictions on Early Voting Ballot Drop-Off Locations and Extension of Early Voting Period

In September 2020, Abbott limited each Texas county to one early voting ballot drop-off location, citing prevention of "illegal voting" without providing evidence. Also, in September 2020, Abbott extended the early voting period for that year's general election due to COVID-19, a decision opposed by the Republican Party of Texas.

2020: "Election Integrity" Legislation

In 2020, Abbott prioritized "election integrity" legislation after President Trump's attempts to overturn the 2020 election, which voting rights advocates denounced as disproportionately affecting voters of color and people with disabilities.

2020: John Scott Aided Trump's Efforts to Overturn Election Results

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

2020: Abbott Supports Police During George Floyd Protests

In 2020, in the wake of the George Floyd protests, Greg Abbott called on candidates to "back the blue" and threatened state control of local police departments in response to funding redirection.

March 2021: Abbott Tweets About Illegal Immigrants and COVID

In March 2021, Abbott tweeted a claim that the Biden Administration was releasing illegal immigrants with COVID into Texas, which PolitiFact rated "Mostly False."

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: Orders Regarding Child-Care Facilities and Border Wall

In June 2021, Abbott ordered Texas child-care regulators to revoke licenses from facilities housing unaccompanied migrant minors, citing negative impact on Texan children in foster care. He also announced plans to build a border wall with Mexico, allocating $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.

July 2021: Abbott Advises Arrests of Illegal Migrants

In July 2021, Abbott advised Texas law enforcement to arrest illegal migrants for trespassing.

July 2021: Democratic Lawmakers Flee to Block Election Bill

In July 2021, Democratic lawmakers in Texas fled to Washington, D.C., to block a bill reforming state election procedures, and Abbott threatened to have them arrested upon their return.

July 27, 2021: National Guard Ordered to Arrest Migrants

On July 27, 2021, Abbott ordered the National Guard to assist in arresting migrants.

July 29, 2021: Executive order GA-38 issued

On July 29, 2021, Greg Abbott issued executive order GA-38, reinstating earlier orders and imposing 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. The order also provides for a $1,000 fine for local officials who adopt inconsistent policies.

August 2021: Opposed government mandates

In August 2021, Greg Abbott emphasized personal responsibility over government restrictions and opposed government mandates. His spokesperson defended the ban on local government mandates by stating that "Private businesses don't need government running their business."

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

In October 2021, Abbott appointed John Scott, who aided Trump's efforts to overturn the 2020 election results, as Texas Secretary of State to oversee Texas elections.

October 2021: Banned vaccine requirements for employees

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

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

In December 2021, Abbott announced that Texas would continue the U.S. Border Wall started by Donald Trump, using the same design.

2021: Abbott Vetoes Criminal Justice and Animal Protection Bills

In 2021, Governor Abbott vetoed a bipartisan criminal justice bill regarding parole eligibility for those convicted before 18 and an animal protection bill concerning chained dogs.

2021: Abbott Signs Bill Allowing Texans to Carry Guns Without a License

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

2021: Removal of LGBTQ Resources from Child Welfare Agency Website

In 2021, after criticism from a Republican primary challenger, Texas's child welfare agency removed content regarding LGBTQ youths from its website, including a suicide prevention hotline.

April 2022: Plan to Bus Illegal Immigrants to Washington D.C.

In April 2022, Abbott announced a plan to bus illegal immigrants from Texas to Washington D.C., citing concerns about a surge of immigrants after Title 42 provisions were rolled back. The first bus arrived later in April, and Abbott faced criticism and accusations of human trafficking. The White House responded that Texas was "helping them get to their final destination."

April 2022: Increased Inspections of Commercial Trucks from Mexico

In early April 2022, Abbott announced increased inspections of commercial trucks entering from Mexico to seize illegal drugs and migrants. This caused significant backups and potential spoilage of produce, leading to protests and strong criticism from Texas business owners. Abbott reversed the policy on April 15 after agreements with Mexican state governors.

May 24, 2022: Robb Elementary School Shooting

On May 24, 2022, Greg Abbott reported that an 18-year-old killed 19 students and 2 teachers at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, carrying a handgun and possibly a rifle. He identified mental health as the root cause.

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

On September 15, 2022, Abbott sent two buses with 101 mostly Venezuelan migrants to Vice President Kamala Harris's residence at the Naval Observatory in Washington, D.C.

2022: Abbott Emphasizes "Culture War" Issues

By his 2022 reelection campaign, Greg Abbott more prominently emphasized "culture war" issues and was compared to Florida Governor Ron DeSantis.

2022: Instructions to Treat Gender-Affirming Care as Child Abuse

In 2022, Abbott instructed Texas state agencies to treat gender-affirming medical treatments for transgender youths as child abuse.

June 2023: Deployment of 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: Arrests of Migrants on Trespassing Charges

By December 2023, nearly 10,000 migrants had been arrested on trespassing charges under Abbott's policy, with reports of imprisonment without legal help or formal charges.

December 2023: Signing of Border Security Bills

In December 2023, Abbott signed three border-security-related bills into law, including one that made illegal immigration a state crime.

2023: Abbott Promises to Work Swiftly for Pardon of Daniel Perry After Murder Conviction

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

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 fatally shooting Air Force veteran Garrett Foster during a Black Lives Matter protest.