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 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 the longest-serving incumbent governor in the United States.
March 2005: Delivered Oral Argument in Van Orden v. Perry
In March 2005, Abbott delivered oral argument before the U.S. Supreme Court defending a Ten Commandments monument on grounds of the Texas State Capitol.
2005: Advocated for Ten Commandments Display
In 2005, as Attorney General, Abbott successfully advocated for the Texas State Capitol to display the Ten Commandments in the U.S. Supreme Court case Van Orden v. Perry.
2013: Sued Barack Obama
In 2013, Abbott stated that his job as Attorney General involved suing Barack Obama, leading to numerous lawsuits against the Obama administration on issues such as environmental regulations and the Affordable Care Act.
2013: Criticized New York's Gun Laws and Advertised in New York
In 2013, as attorney general, Abbott criticized New York's gun control legislation and placed internet ads in New York encouraging gun owners to move to Texas.
February 2014: Argued Against NRA Lawsuit on Concealed Carry
In February 2014, Abbott argued against a lawsuit brought by the National Rifle Association of America (NRA) to allow more people access to concealed carry of firearms.
March 2014: Filed Motion in Christopher Duntsch Case
In March 2014, Abbott filed a motion to intervene on behalf of Baylor Scott & White Medical Center in lawsuits against the hospital related to neurosurgeon Christopher Duntsch, citing the Texas legislature's cap on malpractice cases.
2014: Abbott Defends 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. He argued that the prohibition incentivized children to be born "in the context of stable, lasting relationships."
2014: Abbott Participates in Strategy to Dismantle Climate Change Regulations
In early 2014, Greg Abbott participated in sessions held at the headquarters of the United States Chamber of Commerce to devise a legal strategy to dismantle climate change regulations.
April 2015: Order to State Guard to Monitor Jade Helm 15
In April 2015, Abbott asked the State Guard to monitor the military training exercise Jade Helm 15, amid conspiracy theories of a hostile military takeover.
September 25, 2015: Temporary Injunction Against Therapy Rate Cuts
On September 25, 2015, a temporary injunction order was obtained, barring the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (THHSC) from implementing therapy rate cuts after a lawsuit was filed claiming the cut could cause irreparable damage to the affected children's development.
November 2015: Refusal of Syrian Refugees
In November 2015, Abbott announced that Texas would refuse Syrian refugees following the Paris terrorist attack earlier that month.
December 2015: Order to Sue to Block Refugee Settlement
In December 2015, Abbott ordered the Texas Health and Human Services Commission to sue to block refugee settlement, but the lawsuit was struck down by a federal district court.
2015: Signing of Pastor Protection Act
In 2015, Abbott signed the Pastor Protection Act, allowing clergy to refuse to marry same-sex couples if it violates their beliefs.
November 2016: Approval of Rules for Aborted Fetal Remains
In November 2016, at Abbott's request, the State of Texas approved new rules requiring facilities performing abortions to bury or cremate aborted fetal remains.
2016: Urged Limiting Impact of Obergefell v. Hodges Ruling
In 2016, Abbott urged the Texas Supreme Court to limit the impact of the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling in Obergefell v. Hodges regarding same-sex marriage.
January 27, 2017: Federal Judge Ruled Against the Law for Aborted Fetal Remains
On January 27, 2017, a federal judge ruled against the law requiring facilities performing abortions to bury or cremate aborted fetal remains, but the State of Texas vowed to appeal the ruling.
February 2017: Blocking Funding to Travis County
In February 2017, Governor Abbott blocked funding to Travis County, Texas, due to its sanctuary city policy.
May 2017: Signing of Texas Senate Bill 4
In May 2017, Abbott signed into law Texas Senate Bill 4, which targeted sanctuary cities by charging officials who refused to work with federal officials and allowing police to check immigration status.
May 27, 2017: Tech CEOs Urge Abbott Not to Pass Bathroom Bill
On May 27, 2017, the CEOs of 14 large technology companies urged Greg Abbott not to pass the "bathroom bill," which would require people to use the bathroom of the sex listed on their birth certificates.
November 5, 2017: Comments Following Sutherland Springs Church Shooting
Following the November 5, 2017, Sutherland Springs church shooting, Governor Abbott urged historical reflection. His comparison of the shooting to the Holocaust was deemed "deeply offensive" by the Anti-Defamation League.
2017: Signing of House Bill 3859
Also in 2017, Abbott signed House Bill 3859, allowing faith-based groups working with the Texas child welfare system to deny services based on religious beliefs.
2017: Abbott Signs Legislation Allowing Adoption Agencies to Refuse 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: Chairman Claims Abbott Privately Opposed Bathroom Bill
In March 2018, Byron Cook, the chairman of the House State Affairs committee, claimed that Greg Abbott privately opposed the "bathroom bill," despite publicly supporting it.
April 2018: Texas Voter Purge Canceled After Challenge
In April 2018, a purge of registered voters was canceled after voting rights groups challenged the purge, and officials at the Office of the Texas Secretary of State admitted that tens of thousands of legal voters were wrongly flagged for removal.
2018: Response to Santa Fe High School Shooting
After the 2018 Santa Fe High School shooting, Abbott initiated consultations to prevent gun violence in schools and stated, "The problem is not guns, it's hearts without God".
2018: Abbott Rejects Scientific Consensus on Climate Change
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 main cause.
June 2019: Emails Show Abbott's Role in Voter Purge
In June 2019, emails revealed that Greg Abbott was the driving force behind the effort to purge nearly 100,000 registered voters from Texas voter rolls.
June 2019: Austin Repeals Camping Ban
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: Response to El Paso Mass Shooting
After the August 2019 mass shooting in El Paso, Abbott convened a domestic terrorism task force but opposed a red-flag law and a special session to address gun violence.
October 2019: Abbott Criticizes Austin's Repeal of Camping Ban
In October 2019, Greg Abbott sent a widely publicized letter to Austin Mayor Steve Adler criticizing the repeal of the camping ban for homeless people and threatened to deploy state resources to combat homelessness.
2019: Abbott Instructs Prosecutors to Continue Enforcing Marijuana Laws
In 2019, Greg Abbott instructed local prosecutors to continue enforcing marijuana laws, despite some announcing they would stop prosecuting low-level offenses due to recent hemp legalization.
January 2020: Decline of Refugee Resettlement
In January 2020, Abbott made Texas the first state to decline refugee resettlement under a new rule by the Trump administration. All sixteen Catholic bishops of Texas condemned the move.
May 1, 2020: End of Texas Stay-at-Home Order
On May 1, 2020, Greg Abbott ended the stay-at-home order in Texas, one of the shortest implemented by any governor during the COVID-19 pandemic.
July 2020: Abbott Directs Mask Wearing in Counties with High COVID-19 Cases
In July 2020, Greg Abbott directed counties with more than 20 COVID-19 cases to require masks in public places, reversing his earlier prohibition on local mask mandates.
September 2020: Abbott Limits Ballot Drop-off Locations and Extends Early Voting
In September 2020, Greg Abbott issued a proclamation limiting each Texas county to one ballot drop-off location, citing prevention of "illegal voting," while also extending the early voting period for that year's general election due to COVID-19.
December 2020: Abbott Directs Restaurants to Ignore COVID-19 Curfews
In December 2020, Greg Abbott directed Texas restaurants to ignore local curfews imposed to prevent the spread of COVID-19 during the New Year's weekend.
2020: Abbott Prioritizes Election Integrity Legislation
In 2020, Greg Abbott made "election integrity" a legislative priority after President Trump's failed attempts to overturn the election results, leading to legislation denounced by voting rights advocates as disproportionately affecting voters of color and people with disabilities.
2020: Scott Aided Trump
In 2020, Scott aided Trump in his failed efforts to throw out election results in the 2020 presidential election.
2020: Support for Law Enforcement
In 2020, following the George Floyd protests, Abbott called on candidates to "back the blue."
March 2, 2021: Abbott Lifts COVID-19 Restrictions in Texas
On March 2, 2021, Greg Abbott lifted all COVID-19 restrictions in Texas, ending the mask mandate and allowing businesses to reopen "100 percent."
March 2021: Abbott Claims Biden Administration Releasing COVID-Positive Immigrants
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", noting that those being released were asylum seekers with a legal right to remain in the U.S., and the number was well below "hundreds", only 108 at the time.
April 2021: Abbott Bans Vaccine Passports
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: Signing of Texas Heartbeat Act
On May 18, 2021, Governor Abbott signed the Texas Heartbeat Act, a six-week abortion ban, into law.
June 2021: Signing of Permitless Carry Bill
In June 2021, Abbott signed into law a permitless carry bill allowing Texans to carry handguns without a license or training.
June 2021: Abbott Orders License Revocation for Child-Care Facilities Housing Migrant Minors and Announces Border Wall Plans
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, pledging $250 million in state funds and soliciting public donations.
June 2021: Abbott Punishes Businesses Requiring Proof of 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: Texas Democrats Flee to Block Election Bill
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. Abbott threatened to have the lawmakers arrested upon their return to Texas.
July 2021: Abbott Advises Arrests for Illegal Migrants and Restricts Ground Transportation
In July 2021, Greg Abbott advised state law enforcement officers to begin arresting illegal migrants for trespassing. The next day he signed an order to restrict the ground transportation of migrants.
July 27, 2021: Abbott Orders National Guard to Arrest Migrants
On July 27, 2021, Greg Abbott ordered the National Guard to begin helping arrest migrants as part of his border security policy.
July 29, 2021: Executive Order GA-38 Issued
On July 29, 2021, Governor Abbott issued Executive Order GA-38, prohibiting local governmental officials, state agencies, public universities, and businesses from requiring face masks or proof of vaccination, with a $1,000 fine for inconsistent policies.
August 2021: Opposition to Government Mandates
In August 2021, Abbott emphasized personal responsibility over government restrictions, resolutely opposing government mandates. His spokesperson justified the ban on local government mandates by stating "Private businesses don't need government running their business."
September 2021: Signing of Bill Preventing Mail-Ordering Abortion Medication
In September 2021, Abbott signed into law a bill preventing women from mail-ordering abortion medication seven weeks into pregnancy.
October 2021: Executive Order Banning Vaccine Requirements
In October 2021, Abbott issued an executive order that banned any entity, including private businesses, from implementing a vaccine requirement for its employees.
October 2021: Abbott Appoints John Scott as Texas Secretary of State
In October 2021, Greg Abbott appointed John Scott as Texas Secretary of State, placing 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.
2021: Legislative Efforts to Penalize Cities Reducing Police Spending
In 2021, Abbott spearheaded legislative efforts to financially penalize cities in Texas that reduced spending on police.
2021: Veto of Bipartisan Criminal Justice and Animal Protection Bills
In 2021, Abbott vetoed a bipartisan criminal justice bill concerning parole eligibility and a animal protection bill.
2021: Political Characterization
In 2021, The New York Times characterized Abbott and Patrick as "the driving force behind one of the hardest right turns in recent state history".
April 2022: Abbott Announces Plan to Bus Migrants 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 after Title 42 rollback. The first bus carrying 24 immigrants arrived in Washington D.C. later that month.
April 2022: Abbott Increases Truck Inspections at Border, Causing Disruptions
In April 2022, Greg Abbott announced increased inspections of commercial trucks entering from Mexico, leading to multi-mile backups and potential spoilage of produce. Under pressure from Texas business owners, Abbott canceled the policy on April 15.
May 24, 2022: Response to Robb Elementary School Shooting
On May 24, 2022, Governor Abbott reported on the Robb Elementary School shooting in Uvalde, where 19 students and 2 teachers were killed. He cited mental health as the root cause.
September 15, 2022: Abbott Sends Buses of Migrants to Vice President Kamala Harris's Residence
On September 15, 2022, Greg Abbott sent two buses with 101 mostly Venezuelan migrants detained after crossing the U.S. border with Mexico to the residence of Vice President Kamala Harris in Washington, D.C.
2022: Emphasis on "Culture War" Issues
By his 2022 reelection campaign, Governor Abbott more prominently emphasized "culture war" issues, and was compared to Florida Governor Ron DeSantis.
2022: Abbott Instructs Agencies to Treat Gender-Affirming Care 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: Abbott Deploys Floating Barriers in Rio Grande
In June 2023, Greg 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: Nearly 10,000 Migrants Arrested Under Abbott's Trespassing Policy
By December 2023, nearly 10,000 migrants had been arrested on trespassing charges under Greg Abbott's policy, with many imprisoned for weeks without legal help or formal charges.
2023: Announcement to Work Swiftly for a Pardon for Daniel Perry
In 2023, Abbott said he would work swiftly for a pardon for Daniel Perry after a jury convicted Perry of murder.
2023: Senate Bill 17 Signed 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: Pardon of Daniel Perry
In May 2024, Governor Abbott granted a full pardon to Daniel Perry who was convicted of fatally shooting an Air Force veteran during a Black Lives Matter protest.
