BREAKING: DHS contractors are toppling the last of four ancient cottonwoods to build double border walls across the San Rafael Valley. The wall cuts through the key remaining wildlife corridor for endangered jaguars between Arizona and Sonora, where human border crossings are seldom seen. A protest camp had occupied and protected this tree for more than 60 days, halting construction. The camp was raided and campers were arrested this morning. This wall will effectively lock the remaining jaguars in the U.S. into solitary confinement, while permanently marring one of the last remaining wild places along the Arizona border.

I spent my day watching the place I love more than anything in the world be irreversibly destroyed for no reason. There is not a single logical explanation for what DHS and its contractors are doing to Big Bend. It has become perfectly clear: they are using the destruction of this crown jewel national park as a vehicle to transfer billions of taxpayer dollars into the pockets of these politically connected contractors. They are sacrificing our public lands so obscenely rich men who have never once set foot here can get even richer. And if they can do it here in Texas' wildest and most beloved national park, they will do it everywhere. Governor Abbott, Senators Cruz and Cornyn: WHERE ARE YOU?!