Austin, TX
Texas politicians react to Biden’s visit to Austin: ‘True statesman and patriot’
President Biden visited Austin on Monday to deliver comments at the Lyndon B. Johnson Presidential Library, commemorating the 60th anniversary of the signing of the Civil Rights Act and honoring the legacy of a president recently likened to Biden for his decision not to seek reelection in 1968.
His visit prompted several state and local politicians to comment publicly about Biden’s legacy, record, and decision to step down from the ticket in November.
Here is what Texas politicians had to say about President Biden’s visit:
U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett, D-Austin
Doggett wrote that Biden was a “true statesman and patriot” in a post to X documenting the president’s arrival at ABIA. His remarks come after the congressmen became the first house Democrat to publicly call for Biden to step down from the ticket.
More: Austin Rep. Lloyd Doggett’s first call for Biden to withdraw sparked a national movement
Mayor Kirk Watson
Austin Mayor Kirk Watson wrote on X, “The fact that the American economy is the strongest in the world post-pandemic has everything to do with Joe Biden’s leadership,” in a post containing a photograph of the two politicians shaking hands on the tarmac.
Mayor Watson continued by noting that America owed Biden a “debt of gratitude” both for his leadership in the White House and for his “extraordinary decision to pass the torch of leadership.” Watson finished his statement by pledging a commitment to helping elect Vice President Kamala Harris in November.
More: Bryan Cranston reads from LBJ speech ahead of Biden’s visit to celebrate Civil Rights Act
Texas Governor Greg Abbott
While Abbott did not comment directly on Biden’s remarks at the LBJ library, he did take the opportunity to deride POTUS’ policies regarding the Southern border, emphasizing that Biden would not be visiting the border during his time in Texas.
“Joe Biden & his Border Czar Kamala Harris can come all the way to Texas but not the border,” Abbott wrote on X. “Americans are waiting for them to take this national security crisis seriously.”
U.S. Rep. Greg Casar, D-Austin
Congressman Casar was also among the handful of politicians who greeted Biden upon landing in Austin. In a statement released following POTUS’ arrival, Casar praised Biden for his recent pledge to reform the Supreme Court, a central topic in his remarks at the LBJ library.
“With term limits for the justices, an ethics code, and a constitutional amendment limiting presidential immunity, we can ensure the Court is balanced and not corrupted by billionaires and extremists,” Casar’s statement read. “These reforms would continue the legacy of President Lyndon Baines Johnson — protecting and advancing civil rights for everyone.”
More: ‘No one is above the law’: Biden calls for sweeping Supreme Court changes
U.S. Rep. Veronica Escobar, D-El Paso
Representative Escobar wrote on X that she was honored to join the President as he commemorated the signing of the Civil Rights Act, a historical moment she described as “representing the culmination of an arduous fight in the never-ending pursuit for equality.
The president was also greeted by Texas Representatives Al Green, Sylvia Garcia, and Lizzie Fletcher as well as Texas Senate and House Minority Leaders Carol Alvaro and Trey Martinez Fischer.
An outbreak of cyclosporiasis, an intestinal illness that can cause explosive diarrhea, has been confirmed in Texas, prompting health officials to urge extra precautions when handling fresh produce.
The Texas Department of State Health Services has confirmed 48 cases of cyclosporiasis across 10 Texas counties. State health officials say there have been no deaths linked to the outbreak so far.
There are no reported cases in Southeast Texas at this time, and Port Arthur officials say they have not received any reported cases from area hospitals or health care providers. Still, health officials say now is the time to take extra precautions.
Judith Smith, Port Arthur’s director of health services, said cyclosporiasis is caused by “a microscopic parasite that is usually found in contaminated food and contaminated water.”
Smith said contamination typically stems from floodwater or sewage water when produce is harvested, allowing parasites to transfer to produce long before it reaches consumers.
“I have not heard of an outbreak like this. It’s been a while. It might have been 2023, 2024, and so, you know, and of course, Texas is not immune,” Smith said.
Smith said foods that are eaten raw can pose a higher risk. “Those foods that are not cooked are the ones that really make you more at risk,” she said.
Health officials recommend washing raw produce, including lettuce, cilantro, raspberries and basil. They also recommend cleaning cutting boards, refrigerating fresh goods and throwing away any remaining produce after experiencing symptoms.
Symptoms can include watery diarrhea, fatigue, lack of appetite and a low-grade fever. “Those individuals that may have that watery diarrhea or really just more than two to three days should seek medical attention,” Smith said.
Testing can confirm the parasite, and early treatment can help prevent more serious complications, especially for children and elderly relatives. Health care experts recommend contacting a health care provider as soon as possible if persistent stomach cramps and other symptoms develop after eating fresh produce.
The Texas Longhorns are less than two months away from starting their regular season slate of the 2026 schedule.
Just like last season, the Longhorns have been given unrealistic expectations by some, but will look to avoid the slow start that had everyone counting them out in September. On paper, the Longhorns should be a lot better than they were last season.
A national championship run should be on the table for head coach Steve Sarkisian and his team. One of the reasons that is a possibility is due to the Longhorns have something in common with previous national championship winners.
Legacy Year
Last season, the college football world was enamored by the Indiana Hoosiers. A program that no one saw ever winning the national championship, was hoisting the trophy at the end of the season.
Now, the Hoosiers had a talented roster from top to bottom. But the play of starting quarterback Fernando Mendoza was the leading factor in this team reaching the mountaintop.
Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning has the chance to make that same impression this season. After his first full season as the starting quarterback in Austin last year, there is a growing confidence that Manning is going to be on another level in 2026.
Last season, Manning threw for 3,163 yards and 26 touchdown passes. If you were to compare those numbers to Mendoza’s last season, the Hoosiers quarterback threw for 3,535 yards and an impressive 41 touchdown passes.
Those numbers make it clear that Manning will have to elevate his performance this season. With a revamped offensive line, the Longhorns quarterback may have the time to rival the numbers of Mendoza from this past season.
But another key piece to the Longhorns’ 2026 roster is a massive wide receiver addition.
It’s going to take the whole village, and Coach Sarkisian went out and got one of the most talented wide receivers in the transfer portal with Cam Coleman.
Coleman had two solid years with the Auburn Tigers and now will look to be the deep field threat for Manning and the Longhorns. The junior receiver’s addition to the roster could take this offensive unit to being one of the top units in the country.
All championship teams have a quarterback who could lead them to victory. Manning could very well be the next elite quarterback to hold a national championship trophy.
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Join several Austin labor unions and community members to honor Lorenzo Salgado Araujo’s life and the countless immigrants who have been impacted by ICE.
The community vigil will take place at the Wildflower Church on Saturday, July 11th starting at 6 PM. All are welcome to bring flowers and candles as we honor the loss of life and grieve the separation of families.
Community Vigil Details
🗓️ July 11, 2026 | 6:00 – 8:00 PM
🗺️ 1314 E Oltorf St, Austin, TX 78704
🚗 Public transit and rideshare encouraged! Limited parking available and overflow parking may be available at Travis High School.
Please consider donating to the family’s GoFundMe if you are able: https://bit.ly/atx4lorenzo
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