TEXAS GOV. GREG ABBOTT: 'I HATE TO SAY THIS, BUT THE MAIN SECURITY THREAT TO THE STATE OF TEXAS IS FROM WITHIN - FROM OUR OWN DISTRICT ATTORNEYS AND OUR OWN JUDGES WHO BELIEVE THAT SOMEHOW, IT'S A GOOD IDEA TO LET DANGEROUS CRIMINALS BACK OUT ON THE STREETS'

Abbott Pledges To ‘Look Into’ Dallas Police Staffing Shortage 

 

By Logan Washburn 

 

The Dallas Express

Jan 7, 2026

 

 

Texas Governor Greg Abbott speaks at a law enforcement endorsement press conference in Fort Worth on January 6, 2026. 

 

When Governor Greg Abbott announced reelection endorsements from Texas law enforcement, he also promised to look into the Dallas Police Department’s staffing shortfall.

“We’re going to be looking into what the City of Dallas has or has not done with regard to funding the police, and see if there’s a violation of the state law that I signed,” Abbott said to The Dallas Express. 

Abbott held a press conference January 6 at the Fort Worth Police Officer’s Association, announcing endorsements for his reelection. Local supporters included the FWPOA, the Arlington Police Officers Association, the Dallas Police Association, and Bill Waybourn.

The Dallas Express asked Abbott what he would do, if reelected, to ensure cities like Dallas hire enough police officers. In response, he pointed to legislation he signed in 2021.

“Dallas is bearing the burden of their failure to have fully staffed law enforcement, their failure to contain a homeless problem,” Abbott said in response to DX. “We will defund any city that defunds the police.”

Dallas voters passed Proposition U in November 2024, setting a statutory minimum of 4,000 police officers, as The Dallas Express reported. The city plans to hire more police, but is still falling short – budgeting in FY 2026 for just 3,424 officers.

“Local leaders – it’s their responsibility to ensure that homeless people are not endangering their citizens. It’s the responsibility of local leaders to fully fund their local law enforcement,” Abbott said. “Because Dallas did not do that, AT&T is now moving out of downtown.”

AT&T, a longtime staple of downtown Dallas, announced January 5 it will move its headquarters to Plano in 2028. The company has been dodging The Dallas Express’ inquiries about the move for months, amid concerns about safety and homelessness in the area.

“That’s not the only thing we’re seeing,” Abbott said. “Dallas is losing property tax revenue because they refused to step up and do what was needed.”

Meanwhile, Tarrant County Judge Tim O’Hare told The Dallas Express he is optimistic about the future of his county. He said it would be in “good shape” so long as voters keep electing “strong conservative leaders.”

“Tarrant County is a law and order county,” O’Hare said. “Tarrant County doesn’t put up with some of the nonsense you see in some of these larger urban areas and cities.”

A Threat From ‘Within’

Abbott has served as governor since 2015, and he is currently seeking reelection for a fourth term. 

Fifteen law enforcement groups across Texas have endorsed Abbott’s reelection campaign so far, as The Dallas Express exclusively reported. He is making another campaign stop in Houston January 8.

Abbott, flanked by law enforcement from across Texas, thanked them for their service.

“I thank them for their endorsement, but more importantly, I thank them for what they do every single day,” he said. “I have fought side by side with them to make sure we do everything we can to keep Texans safe.”

Abbott said law enforcement and public safety require “ongoing vigilance” to protect the people of Texas.

“Our pledge is that ongoing commitment to our state,” he said. 

Abbott listed his priorities for another administration should he win reelection. He called to close the “revolving door of easy bail” for career criminals, hold “rogue district attorneys” accountable, and establish a chief state prosecutor for cases local prosecutors refuse to pursue.

“We must keep dangerous criminals behind bars, protect sensitive information in a law enforcement officer’s personnel file from disclosure that could otherwise expose them to harm, and we must ensure going forward that we work collaboratively to perpetually secure our borders,” Abbott added.

The Dallas Express asked Abbott what he thinks is the greatest security threat to Texans.

“I hate to say this, but the main security threat to the state of Texas is from within – from our own district attorneys and our own judges who believe that somehow, it’s a good idea to let dangerous criminals back out on the streets,” Abbott said in response to DX.

The governor pointed to the murder of an off-duty Caldwell County deputy in north Austin January 4. According to KXAN, the suspect – Thomas Vences – faced 33 prior criminal cases in Travis County.

“These law enforcement officers, as well as citizens across the state, face dangers every single day because we have judges and district attorneys who refuse to do the job,” Abbott said.

Republican state Sen. Phil King told The Dallas Express he attended to support the governor.

“I’ve never seen him say anything but ‘yes’ to something that was going to be good for public safety,” King said.

Tarrant County Commissioner Manny Ramirez, also a Fort Worth police officer, thanked Abbott for standing with police.

“Abbott has stood with us time and time again to hold that thin blue line between chaos and order,” Ramirez said. “Thank you for making sure that that thin blue line will never be broken.”

Abbott emphasized his gratitude to Texas police officers.

“I cannot thank these law enforcement officers enough for their service to our states and to their communities, and for the endorsement of my reelection,” Abbott said. “These officers represent the very best of the state of Texas. I thank them for their service, for their sacrifice and for their bravery.”