Texas Governor Greg Abbott confirmed in a wide-ranging interview on The Joe Pags Show that recent student walkouts were not spontaneous demonstrations but part of what he described as a coordinated national effort involving teachers unions. He also provided updates on Texas’ involvement in the nationwide search for missing Arizona mother Nancy Guthrie, immigration enforcement cooperation, school choice expansion, and state action against a proposed North Texas development accused of attempting to form a religious enclave.
Abbott first addressed the growing search for Nancy Guthrie, explaining that the case has expanded well beyond local jurisdiction. “This is now a nationwide search as well as an international search,” he said, noting authorities cannot yet determine whether she remains in the United States. Abbott described how Texas handles major crimes, stating that the Department of Public Safety engages early and coordinates directly with his office to deploy investigative resources. He emphasized that as a “law and order” governor, he remains personally involved in ensuring state tools are fully utilized when high-profile crimes occur.
The conversation then turned to the recent student walkouts that occurred in Texas and other states. Abbott rejected the characterization that the protests were grassroots. “I’ve seen multiple national reports that we’re seeking to confirm right now. This is driven by the national teachers unions,” he said. He confirmed Texas is investigating who organized the effort and whether educators or administrators within the state participated. “We’re tracking them,” Abbott added.
Under Texas law, public school funding is partially based on average daily attendance. Abbott explained that the commissioner of education has notified districts they will not receive attendance funding for students who left campus during instructional hours to protest. Addressing free speech concerns, Abbott clarified: “You do have a right to protest. But you do not have a right to leave your school during school hours and go protest.” He further warned that schools allowing students to depart during class time could face liability if injuries occur.
The interview also highlighted Texas’ newly launched school choice program. Abbott noted more than 100,000 applications have already been submitted for education freedom accounts. When asked why opposition remains strong, he responded directly: “They lose control.” Abbott argued that competition among public, private, charter, and homeschool options will improve outcomes statewide and said resistance is driven by entrenched interests rather than student welfare.
On immigration enforcement, Abbott reaffirmed Texas’ cooperation with federal authorities regardless of resistance from some local officials. “Texas is a rule of law state and law and order state,” he said, emphasizing that federal agents must be able to carry out responsibilities assigned by Congress. He also discussed broader concerns surrounding border security and public safety.
Abbott concluded by addressing the halted “Epic City” development near Plano and subsequent legal action against a related project known as “the Meadow.” He outlined multiple state investigations and enforcement actions, stating that developments excluding residents based on religion violate Texas law and will not be permitted to proceed.
The full interview on The Joe Pags Show provides additional detail on the investigations into the school walkouts, Texas’ role in high-profile criminal cases, the expansion of school choice, and the state’s legal strategy moving forward.