CNN’s Dana Bash Confronts Kristi Noem Over Texas Border Dispute: ‘Are You Worried’ About Potential ‘Violence?’

CNN anchor Dana Bash pressed South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem (R) over the possible violent escalation that could stem from Texas’ legal dispute with the federal government on border security.

Noem joined State of the Union on Sunday to talk about Texas Gov. Greg Abbott’s (R) actions following a Supreme Court ruling that ordered him to let federal border agents remove razor wire from a section of the Texas-Mexico border. Noem has sided with Abbott and his efforts against the ruling by preventing federal agents to enter the area where Texas installed the wire.

Asked if she thinks Texas should defy the Supreme Court, Noem answered “Texas should stand their ground. They should enforce their state law and go back to the constitutional rights that they have been granted to protect their state’s sovereignty.” She also slammed Democrats over the current discourse about whether Biden will take control of the Texas National Guard to enforce the Supreme Court’s ruling in spite of Abbott’s defiance.

“I’m proud of what Texas has done, proud to stand with them,” said Noem. “I deployed my National Guard down there three times and we will do what we can to help them support and defend their people.”

Bash brought up the Republican lawmakers who’ve recently suggested that the border dispute could give way to “civil war” and “force on force” conflict.

“There’s real concern that things between Texas and the federal government could turn violent,” Bash noted. “Are you worried about that?”

“We don’t know where this will escalate,” Noem said. “We don’t know what the president will do. We don’t know how he will try to manipulate our soldiers or if he will even defend our country from this invasion that is happening.”

Bash and Noem proceeded to talk over each other as the CNN anchor tried to pin down the governor on whether she was “worried” about violence between state forces and the National Guard.

“There could be a violent situation,” Noem answered, “but there also could be areas where we need to take legal action as governors to protect our states. I’m willing to put that on the table to make sure we are protecting the freedoms that we have always had ever since this country was founded.”

Watch above via CNN.