DOMINIC YEATMAN

The deputy to Texas governor Gregg Abbott has insisted his state has the right to defend America as he was challenged over whether its stand-off with the White House could plunge the country into civil war.

Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick urged Joe Biden to de-escalate the stand-off between federal immigration officers and the Texas National Guard facing an 'invasion' of migrants crossing the southern border.

The two sides are battling in the courts over the state's recent seizure of Shelby Park near Eagle Pass, the removal of razor wire erected by Texas, and the placement of buoys in the Rio Grande.

Fox News anchor Maria Bartiromo demanded to know where the dispute is heading as she challenged Patrick on Sunday Morning Futures.

'What is this going to turn into a civil war? I mean, you've got the Texas rights versus federal rights, both sides with guns?'

'We have a right to defend our citizens,' Patrick retorted, 'We have a right to defend this country. And we're just doing the job.

'These young men and women who serve our National Guard and our DPS, these are the best of the best. Why would he want to send anyone down to confront them?'

It came days after the Supreme Court ruled in favor of the administration by granting an emergency appeal to permit agents to continue cutting the razor wire set up by Texas, overturning a lower court's decision.

But Texas has continued to reinforce the border and has signaled its refusal to comply with the administration's demand to vacate the Shelby Park area.

Border agents have claimed the razor wire is impeding their ability to safely apprehend undocumented migrants.

But US Border Patrol said last week there are currently 'no plans' to dismantle the razor wire.

It came as House Republicans unveiled two articles of impeachment against Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas over his failure to secure the  border.

Mayorkas has been accused of 'willful and systemic refusal to comply with the law' as hundreds of migrants continue to flood into the US every day.

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